What financial help can I get after separation?

Last updated: 24/04/2025

It is likely that your household income will decrease when you become a single parent. There may be financial support available to you from welfare benefits and child maintenance.

Related information

For more information visit the Government website.

Benefits you may get after separation

When you separate from your partner you will stop getting benefits as a couple, but you can make a claim for them as a single parent.

The amount of some benefits may increase, some may stop altogether and you might get Universal Credit for the first time.

The benefits that are based on your income will change. Benefits not based on your income like new style Jobseeker’s Allowance and new style Employment and Support Allowance will not change.

 

Changes to benefits you’re already getting

If you were already getting benefits before you separated these will now change.

If you are already getting tax credits and Housing Benefit when you separate you need to tell HMRC and your local council about your change in circumstances. Tell the Council Tax Department about your change of circumstances so your Council Tax can be amended.

You will be asked to apply for Universal Credit and your tax credits and Housing Benefit will stop. You cannot choose to keep tax credits and Housing Benefit. Money for yourself, your children, help with childcare costs and rent are all included in Universal Credit.

If you were already getting Universal Credit before you separated you need to report your change of circumstances in your online journal so your details and payments can be altered.

 

Benefits you can apply for

There are a number of benefits you can claim if you have a limited income.

These include:

Which benefits you can get depends on your circumstances, such as the number of children you have, your savings and whether you’re working or not.

More information on your benefits.

Child maintenance

The parent providing the majority of the care for your children will be entitled to receive child maintenance from the other parent. You do not need to have been married and the parent paying child maintenance does not need to be in contact with your children.

No maintenance is paid where separated parents share the care of their children equally.

Usually the best way to decide how much maintenance should be paid is for both parents to agree on an amount. Where this is difficult, parents can use the Child Maintenance Service as a mediator, but there are charges involved with this approach.

More information about child maintenance arrangements.

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