Single Parent FAQs: Separation – Issue 36

If you have no income or savings then you may be able to claim Universal Credit, Child Benefit and Scottish Child Payment.

You can get in touch with us and we can explain how to claim these benefits, as well as how much you may be able to claim.

Alternatively, you can use an online benefits calculator.

Places like Rightmove, Zoopla and On the Market can be useful when looking for rentals which are put on the market by Agencies, but this process can be competitive and sometimes slower.

Your quickest options for finding housing are through renting from a social or private landlord.

If you are looking for a flat which is being advertised by a private landlord you could try a website such as Open Rent. Bear in mind that many landlords and agencies require you to view the property in person before you can request to rent the place, especially in Edinburgh and Glasgow city centres.

Another option is to apply to your local council or housing association. Find out how to apply for housing in Scotland.

You can get help to pay for rent through a housing element of Universal Credit. Here is some more information on housing options and the help you could receive with rent.

Since my partner and I separated I have been living in my parents’ house with our 3 children. What are my options when looking for a more long-term housing solution, and would I be able to get any financial help to pay rent seeing as I only work part time and receive Universal Credit?

It’s great that you are both being amicable which means the children should feel more secure throughout the separation process.

We have a page offering guidance on how to talk to children about separation.

The Books Trust also have a great reading list of books about separation and family life changing. This list includes books for children of all different ages.

Each family is different and what works for one family may not work for another. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

If both parents have parental rights and responsibilities then they should both maintain contact with their children.

We have more information about child contact arrangements. If you can’t work contact arrangements out between yourselves then you could try family mediation with Relationship Scotland.

No, Child Maintenance payments are disregarded when calculating all benefits, so your Universal Credit will not be reduced.

Only spousal maintenance payments would reduce Universal Credit payments, and this is a separate payment to Child Maintenance.

You can apply to The Scottish Welfare Fund for a Community Care Grant for items for your new home.

Most councils will let you know if your application has been successful within 15 working days. More information and how to apply can be found here.

Yes, your safety and wellbeing are vital. Asking a family member to do the handover will relieve you of stress and make the handover better for the children too.

The 3 ways to arrange child maintenance are:

· doing a private, family-based arrangement

· using a solicitor

· using the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) Find out more about the Child Maintenance Service.