Separation Finance

[TheGopher]

If you have any genuine knowledge on this, it would be appreciated. Thanks

Scenario
One partner in a marriage decides to leave because the marriage has become unbearable and health is suffering.
This same partner is unemployed or on very low wages due suffering from ill health. Also has no capital except for a substantial amount tied up in the house.
House in joint names and agreement reached by both parties to put house on market.
Question:
Can the partner who left get any housing benefit until the home is sold.

[themas]

I believe that if the house is on the market the capital tied up in it is ignored for 6 months, and possibly longer if the house can't be sold. However, you should really check with the relevant local authority's housing benefit section, or the local CAB.

If I am right, then the answer to your query is Yes, provided the person qualifies in all other respects. The amount of benefit might be restricted if the rent is deemed to be too high or the property too large for the person's needs.

[lady_p_gold]

Plus the fact have you thought about what is going to happen when the house is sold .. then the partner on low wages will have a capital amount which will prevent them from getting benefits I would asssume and yet they still have to house and support themselves.

[lady_p_gold]

I would imagine you mean income support, as they would not need housing benefit if they are already living in a house.

[themas]

lady p - I think the assumption is that the person has moved out of the jointly owned home, and rented elsewhere. I agree - once the person has the capital they would have to come off all means tested benefits until they had used up (by normal expenditure - not going on a spending spree) sufficient capital to bring them within the capital limit for the relevant benefit. In most cases this limit is now �16,000 - but it should be checked.

[TheGopher]

Thanks for your answers.

The person in question is aware that once the house is sold all benefits will stop. The house is virtually mortgage free so the interest on the capital will provide an income to live adaquately.

The doubt was about the time before the house is sold and themas's answer has confirmed what I thought.