Benefit advice for new single mum

[doolittle]

Hi

Im a recent single mum to a 2yr old and 11 month old.
I am currently employed 18hrs per week, and still live in the family home which is mortgaged (£180k), with ex's name still on the mortgage however he wants no claim to the house.
I cannot work out whether I am better off keeping my current work hours and claiming WTC, CTC and council tax benefit, or whether reducing my hrs to 15per week and claiming CTC, Income Support and SMI (to cover the interest on the mortgage).
I dont know how much Incomen Support I could get if FOB's is giving maintenance of £200 per week, and whether I could get SMI if he is still named on the mortgage (I dont think I could take mortgage on officially on my own as my salary isnt enough..?)
Im in a huge pickle, any advice welcome.

Thanks

 

[Stacey_Ann]

Purposely reducing your hours in order to claim benefit is deemed as depriving yourself of income and results in a nil award of benefit.

SMI, you have to serve a qualifying period first of all and it does exhaust after a period of time.

The amount of IS you receive would be dependant on how much your wages are, so 15hrs work earnings could mean you exceed anything IS could pay you, lastly IS is only paid to lone parents with youngest child aged under 5.

I'd try and stay in work if at all possible, it's difficult but doable and if you do need to make a claim hopefully the above gives more of an insight

Hope everything works out for you xxx