Kate

[Kate746]

I have recently seperated from my husband and had to relocate to another part of the Uk therefore leaving my job.

I am having the hardest time finding a new job, but while i am looking i have had to sign on for income support as i have a small child to raise.

My question is, on income support i only get 31 pound a week to support myself and my son as my husband pays maintenance , so therefore thats all im entitled to, im told.

Is there not some other form of support which i can also get while i look for work? As i am starting to struggle on this.

[daffy654]

How much maintenance is your husband paying? Is he paying it regularly? If he is then you will be getting the full amount you are entitled to.You can also claim housing and council tax benefit to cover your rent etc.

[Nosha123]

I'm not surprised!!!! �31!! WHat about child benefit?

[k8bailey]

What about child tax credits?

[stonekicker]

sounds right. any maintenance your ex pays will be deducted from income support. the only other thing you will be entitled to is child benefit. if you really can't live on it, get work - and then you will qualify for help with childcare, working tax credit or child tax credit. only you can decide what you are prepared to do for money...i know i cleaned toilets and wiped bums while my son was small to qualify for more money. good luck x

[China Doll]

Go and talk to CAB but I seem to recall you can also work a certain amount of hours per week (16 off the top of my head) before it effects your benefit but at the time I was on job seekers and I don't know if that's the same thing/same rules apply.

[Shazza36]

China Doll- any work affects benefits- yes you can work up to 16 hours per week but any money you earn (minus �10 disregard for single parents and couples, �5 disregard for single people) is deducted form any means tested benefit don;t go getting in trouble by not declaring it!

[ravenmiss]

Depends on the amount of maintenance but contact your local council for council tax benefit and housing benefit (if you rent) also ring the HMRC for tax credits and you will also already be getting �20 a week Child Benefit.