So the law says so.

[Abigailly]

Officially I'm a single mother. Me and my OH are 'together' but we live apart.Him in his own house, me with my parents.

However this isn't ideal. I don't want it like this at all. Just now he owns a 2 bed house in a nice area, he has an income of about 37k, possibly more. I know how much he brings in, just nnot before tax LOL. But he says the house isn't big enough, and we won't be moving in together until he has sold his house and we buy a bigger one together. Well I don't have time for that. The 3 houses on his street for sale have been on the market for MONTHS!

I'm ready to set up home, if he's not, I'm not hanging about.

So really, I'm just looking for advice, I don't want to go council, I'd rath4er rent privately as the list here is years long and I don't count as over crowded etc. But I don't think I'd be able to afford it? Would I be entitled to help?

I don't know how I'll manage myself, although they all work during the day, I'm used to having their help and support.

I really don't know what to do now

 

[Welshcob]

I doubt that you would get much help if any as the council would see you as voluntarily leaving home. If on a low income you may be entitled to housing benefit. But I would talk to the council or Job centre for advice before making any move.

 

[billy2mm]

you can get help with housing and council tax benefit if you are on a low income/income support.

there is a limit to how much they will contribute and you cant apply till have found somewhere to rent though. you can make an appointment with your local housing people at the council and they cabn discuss your options.

there are housing associtations that the council can tell you about that can offer you somewhere to rent too.

the problem i found when looking for a home was alot of people dont want to rent to people on housing benefit though so that might be quite difficult.

good luck!!!
how does your oh feel about you looking for a home? has he said he wants to move in there with you?

 

[sciencemum]

Thats been my problem too, no one private / agencies wants to rent to a single mum on benefits.

It's silly really as atleast my rent is guarented to come in.

I would definatly have a word with your local housing office though, they might be able to help. But, if your partner is earning so much, then can he not rent something out in his name for you?

 

[bloodbinds]

I'm a single mum on benefits and am renting privately, so i wouldn't so no one will rent out to you. It's none of their business really if you're on benefits or not, they don't need to know. I filled out the form and say unemployed but i had a garrentor which means if for any reason i am unable to pay the rent, they will pay it for me. Though of course it never comes to that because i get full housing benefit allowance so it goes straight into my account then into theirs.
Or you don't even have to tell them you're unemployed. My sister was and instead she said she had a full time job and gave the name and the number of our eldest sister who just confirmed it! Lol.

 

[Abigailly]

you can get help with housing and council tax benefit if you are on a low income/income support.

there is a limit to how much they will contribute and you cant apply till have found somewhere to rent though. you can make an appointment with your local housing people at the council and they cabn discuss your options.

there are housing associtations that the council can tell you about that can offer you somewhere to rent too.

the problem i found when looking for a home was alot of people dont want to rent to people on housing benefit though so that might be quite difficult.

good luck!!!
how does your oh feel about you looking for a home? has he said he wants to move in there with you?

He thinks, when he's ready, I'll move out of my house for us to buy a house ogether. Well he can think again.

As for employment I could easily sort that as my dad is partner in a business with a guy who has helped me out of a few sticky situationI'm sure one more would do no ahrm. I couldn't get in trouble for it though could I? I'm a bit of a good girl at heart

And I don't know if I'll still be with him in a few months if he's not willing to commit at all so I don't want to tie myself to him anymore than I already am.

 

[ChloesMummy]

I dont think you are classed as a single parent and will not be entitled to single parent benefits. Myself and my OH are in the RAF and because we are not married they will not allow us to live together (even although we have a child together :doh: he has accomodation that he pays for at his camp (along with food charges) I had to clarify all this with Inland Revenue and I am definately not classed as a single parent. You could end up in a lot of trouble if you do claim as a single x

 

[Abigailly]

Honestly? Even though all he pays is his maintenance?

 

[ChloesMummy]

Yeah, double check it for yourself, but I am definately not classed as a single parent hun x

ETA If you are in a relationship he really should be contributing more than just maintenance!

 

[bloodbinds]

She is classed as a single mummy. Don't know if it's different for Army Wives but if all he pays is maintenance and they don't live together, then technically, she is single! Especially where housing benefit comes in, as all they need to know if she is living on her own with a baby and not working, they will give her the money. They don't care if she is in a relationship or not.

And you won't get in trouble for saying you're working when you are not, as if by magic they somehow find out later down the line that you are not working, you can always say you left/were fired not long after you moved in!
Also, agencies and landlords have no way of actually knowing if you are working or not, they can not get in touch with inland rev or anything and they can't find out anything about you really, you have to give them the information and they have to go off that. So if you did lie they really wouldn't know.

 

[suzanne108]

Benefits people do spy on people sometimes, so you can't always get away with saying you're working when you're not and vice versa.

My mum knows someone who sits outside Asda watching for people who claim disability to be merrily walking out pushing a big heavy trolley lol. I guess they would have to be suspicious of a person though to follow them round!

 

[Abigailly]

Oh no, I wouldn't be working, not for a fair few months anyway.

So it would only be the land lord I'd tell. Think I'll be a fully single mum soon anyway.