Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a new benefit for people of working age who are working and on a low income, or are out of work. It is a benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and not by your local council.
Find out more about Universal Credit
Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you are pregnant and the child is expected within 11 weeks or have just had a baby you may be entitled to a Maternity Grant.
Find out more about the Sure Start Maternity Grant
Housing Benefit
If you’re on a low income and pay rent for the property you live in, you may be able to get Housing Benefit to help with rent.
You can apply for Housing Benefit, or continue to claim Housing Benefit, if one of the following applies to you:
• have more than 2 children
• live in supported accommodation
• live in temporary accommodation provided by a council
• are of Pension Credit age
• are a severely disabled person
If nothing in the above list applies to you, please apply for Universal Credit instead.
Council Tax reduction
If you are married or cohabiting, you are jointly liable for your abuser's Council Tax. If you separate or maintain separate lives within the same house please inform the Council Tax team.
Your Council Tax bill can be reduced in a number of ways depending on your circumstances.
Find out more about Council Tax discounts and exemptions
Child maintenance
Child maintenance is financial support towards your child’s everyday living costs when you’ve separated from the other parent.
You and your ex-partner can arrange child maintenance yourself if you can agree. This is called a ‘family-based arrangement’. A family-based arrangement is a private way to sort out child maintenance. Parents arrange everything themselves and no-one else has to be involved.
If you cannot agree, you will need to apply for child maintenance with the Child Maintenance Service.
Your child maintenance payments might be affected if you’re claiming Universal Credit.
Find out more about child maintenance
Bank accounts
If you have joint bank accounts or credit cards, you should tell your bank that you have separated. You can ask them to remove your name from the account. This will stop your abuser from accessing your money. It will also stop you being responsible for any bills or overdrafts that belong to your abuser.
If you have to leave your home remember to contact utility companies to have your name taken off the bills.