Need some advice / ideas ...

[jalist]

Firstly, this is a bit of a convoluted post, I'll try and keep it brief.

 

My wife has asked for a seperation / divorce. I am disabled and am unable to work, so for the last four years she has paid all the household bills, mortgage etc.

 

The only course of action is for me to move out, as she would not be able to keep paying the bills on our home, and wherever she moved to. We have two children so keeping them in the marital home is also important to us.

 

The problem I am faced with, is that although I get a small pension of about £200pm, and incapacity benefit, I am unable to rent anywhere nearby for less than about £450pm - this would leave me very little to pay other bills, food etc.

 

I have been told that I'm not eligible for housing benefit as the mortgage on our house is in both our names, and is worth more than when we bought it. I have applied for Disability Living Allowance and again been told I'm not eligible.

 

As I have quite severe mobility issues I need to be close to my children, as my wife works I have to get them ready for school etc, and I would continue doing this after I moved out, so I need to be nearby. So moving to another area that might be cheaper is also not an option.

 

After making what seems like a thousand phone calls to different housing helplines, CAB ( who I hate to say where very unimpressive and gave me totally wrong information ), and Independent Living etc, I'm still no nearer to being able to find any sort of resolution to my problem.

 

All I'm looking for is some advice really, maybe some idea of any group who may be able to help me, or advise me on a course of action.

 

Kind regards, and thanks for reading.

[Nystagmite]

Can you remove your name from the mortgage?

[jalist]

To be honest I'm loathe to do this .. it was my wife who initiated the split - I would have stayed together for the sake of my kids. So I'm concerned if I do remove my name she'll refuse to pay out half the equity on the house when my youngest leaves full-time education.

[honeybee13]

Hello there. It's a tough position to be in.

 

It's a shame about CAB. I know the advice can very, but can you get to see a different person or a specialist?

 

Also, have you spoken to Shelter? They have quite a good reputation on the Benefits forum here.

 

I know there's a benefits calculator on directgov and another one I can never remember the name of, maybe someone here will. It could be that your situation is a bit too complicated for the calculators, but it's worth a try.

 

My best, HB

[Nystagmite]

HB - I think you mean entitled to / turn2us?

[walkinthepark]

Try DLA again - don't give up because you have been turned down keep trying or go for an appeal. Try your local Welfare Rights or Unemployed Workers Centre. Get someone who knows what they are doing when filling in the DLA form. Like someone says it depends who you get at CAB.

[jalist]

Thanks guys, will try an appeal against the DLA and get back in touch with the CAB.

[walkinthepark]

I think you have one month to appeal or to give them more information. If it's past that just try again.

[Nystagmite]

Yes. 4 weeks or 6 weeks if you ask for a statement of reasons.