Dad unable to work

Hello, all,

I'd appreciate some advice on my position.

I'm 49, divorced for a few months and the father of 3 boys (10, 10 & 7) who I've had for 25% of the time (half weekends & holidays) but more like 50% recently. There is no court involvement other than stamping a Consent Order and the Absolute.

I'm now off work with depression and I'm thinking of taking part-time work when I return. There is also a chance that I won't work at all in the future, either by necessity or by choice.

I won't be able to exist on my savings and income without help. I've never had state benefits and I haven't a clue how the system works.

Does anyone know where I can find out answers to questions such as:
How does the system treat divorced fathers?
What income benefits can I get?
How best to manage savings to avoid losing out?
What size place can I get? What happens if I move to another area? (I have a large 2-bed flat that I can't afford to keep up. I'd also like to move closer to my boys (I'm an hour's drive away)).

Thanks.

Ian

First port of call might be welfare rights or citizens advice. Take care Polar

In one of my previous jobs I used to help people with benefits and accomodation, also am up to date as now a probation officer and most of my offenders are on some form of benefit. Can you post a bit more info such as are you on ssp, work sick pay or no income as left joband when you stopped work, when you were diasnosed. How long has the gp signed you off for, what is level of depression and surrounding issues, what can you do and what can't you manage, is flat owned rented, cm/sm etc. Sory if really personal but it all amkes a dif to what help you can get. Email me if too personal to post and big hug to you right now.

Claire

I am sorry to hear you are unwell. Check out www.entitledto.co.uk for an idea of the benefits you would be entitled to. NRPs on their own are treated as single, although a shared residency order might help get a council house. A trustworthy IFA would be the best person to give tailored advice on the best way to use your savings. If I remember correctly you were in the RAF at one point, do you have a pension so you can retire early?

Thanks.

To clarify, flat is rented - my ex-wife got the house on divorce and I decided not to buy (my best decision of the last year maybe!).

I have a pension of £600 a month before tax.

My company runs 100% of pay for first 6 months of sickness, and I've been off for about 5 weeks now. After 6 months sick pay could be 50% or it could be statutory (i.e not much) depending on circumstances.

On 100% salary I just about pay for the essentials - maintenance, rent & bills (about £1400pm), food, car usage (no repayments), clothes etc. I've been using savings to pay for non-essentials like evenings out.

As for my illness, let me just say that I've been fighting for a year or two (well, longer if I'm honest). It had been getting worse over the past 6 months until the point where I just couldn't work. I think I will always struggle. GP has signed off until next appt in week's time and I expect she will extend by a month.

There is part of me that says just give in to it and work with it rather than against it. This would see me giving up paid work (after doing the best I can to do a smooth transition for my employer), replacing the maintenance I pay my ex-wife with free work in her business (as the CSA formula on nil earned income would then give her very little, in practice I'm genuinely doing the work for free) and spending more time with my boys.

That said, above is just thoughts, and all options are open.

Cheers,

Ian

p.s Fitbird, hug was lovely

Hey Ian,

Thanks, sorry one more question, how much savings do you have?

Claire

The question of savings is a tricky one as I retain a share of the FMH (roughly 87% to her, 13% to me) that is worth, say, £50,000.

I have some cash and investments that are worth between £10k and £25k depending on circumstances.

Ian