Question on income support, uk single parent?

Question

my husband and i are seperating, he is moving out on the 15 aug. i have a 2 year old who i look after at home so ill have to apply for income support. my question is when should i apply? can i do so before he moves out, and how long (roughly) does it take to process the claim. i am worried about no money for rent / bills with no money coming in which is why im asking about the timing. thank you

Answer 1

Hi

There are a number of things you need to do.

1. Yes make  a claim for Income support, you do this by telephone [phone]) and they send you out a report to verify the deatails. You will have to do it once you have seperated, allow at least two weeks to process and expect DWP to visit as it is a recent seperation

2. Inform HMRC to get your Tax Credits altered, Income Support pays only for you, Tax Credits will be paid for your kids. Phone them, this is done relatively quickly, again it has to be once you have seperated

3. Claim housing and council tax benefit, can take about 6 weeks to process so expect to have to pay until it is processed

Answer 2

contact the DSS and ask them but it takes a week or so to get sorted out and contact your rent office, although you fill in the rent & council tax forms at the DSS, you will have to pay sewerage rates to Council, its about £20 per month and you will get milk tokens as your child is under 5 and of course your DSS money depends on how much child support the husband is paying?