Advice re: housing/separation.

[SleepyCaz]

I have NO idea what to do. H and I married for 4 years. Are separating. I am SAHM. He earns about £25,000 pa. I only bring in Child Benefit. We rent, privately, a home for £525 per month. How can I keep the house on alone? Will I get housing benefit? How long does HB take to 'kick in' as it were? Rent next due 01 March. What about bills, eg gas, elec, c-tax, water? How will DC's and I live? They are 5 and 3.I know this all sounds dense, but I never thought I'd be in this position, so have no clue. I won't get HB in time for next rent payment will i?

[cestlavielife]

try CAb , Shelter, www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

[Naoko]

You will get housing and council tax benefit. Call the council today and explain, asking for a form. I would also call/make an appointment at your local jobcenter, as you may be entitled to claim jobseeker's allowance or income support. Depending on which, if any of these benefits from the jobcenter you end up applying for, the housing benefit application may be done at the same time.

Sadly you're probably right that it will take longer than 4 weeks to process the HB claim, but it depends on your council - some are much faster than others. If it doesn't come through in time, ask the jobcenter about a crisis loan, they are for circumstances like that. Inform the council that there is now only one adult living in your house, you'll get a 25% discount on the council tax bill, and if you're applying for housing/council tax benefit, if they send a bill while you wait for it to come through you can ask them to put the account on hold until the claim is processed (so you don't have to pay it until you're getting the benefits/council tax benefit is taken off the bill and it is recalculated).

CAB and Shelter as suggested above are very helpful and can help you navigate the benefits maze.

You should probably also see a solicitor to make sure you get a fair deal for you and your DC in this separation, seeing as your DH is earning.

Hope that helped a bit, sorry you're in this situation.