Lone Parent Allowance - After splitting with Partner

Ann007

Hi

I was just wondering if anyone could help.

I was with my partner for 7 years and we have two children, 3yr old and 1yr old. Unfortunately the relationship has broken down and I've had to move back with my kids to my parents home. I am in a dilemma now as I am getting my name taken off our mortgage and transfering it into his name as I just want to get away from it.

My problem now is that my parents cant accommodate me and the kids as they already have 3 of my siblings living with them, my brother has suffered with depression for over 8 years and two of my sisters are only working part time so in the end my parents are already helping to support them and only have 3 rooms, so me and the kids have had to share a bed in the spare room.

I work full time at present but there is no way I could afford someone to mind the kids and pay rent on my own and my ex is only paying enough at present to help feed the kids.

Does anyone know if I would be eligible to apply for the lone parents allowance or how does it work. I really need somewhere for my kids as cant leave them in this situation for much longer as its not working.

Someone has told me that I will actually have to give up work in order to qualify for any sort off aid, is this true as I really dont want to have to give up my job but I dont know what else to do in order to get a place for me and the kids.

Cill Dara Abu

You will not get LPA while you are working, all you can really do is apply for a council house if as you say you cannot afford to rent your own place.

You will be placed on the housing list but these lists are long and could take years to get round to you.

Delancey

OP - be very careful before chucking in your job , you may have difficulty accessing benefits if you leave work voluntarily and even if you do get benefits you run the risk of being stuck on them for a long time ( i.e. you could fall into the ' welfare trap ' ).
As already pointed out you have zero chance of walking away from your mortgage - you're tied into and you may need to think about moving back while your ex-partner leaves.
You may also need to look at the whole area of maintenance , if you approach SW for benefits that will be one of the first questions they ask you.

mp22

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/one_parent_family_payment.html you can work and get lone parents

mrsbyrne

OP you are in a serious situation here and i hope you are not just relying on this forum for help. If you dont have a solicitor, or even if you do, apply for free legal aid
http://www.legalaidboard.ie/lab/publishing.nsf/Content/Law_Centres
and get on the list for free legal aid. Your solicitor will have cost you a fortune by the time your finished.you need legal help regarding maintenance, gaurdianship, the mortgage.. If your ex-partner falls behind in the mortgage and proceedings are issued, the proceedings will be against both of you, and could have long term implications.
If your gross earnings are less than €425 per week, you may be entitled to some One Parent Family Payment, but you cannot even apply until you have been apart for three months
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/one_parent_family_payment.html
and you will not get an SWA in the meantime if you are working over 30 hours per week, although i would go and chat to your local authority
http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/LocalGovernmentAdministration/LocalAuthorities/
about going on the housing list, given the circumstances at your parents home. your problem regarding the housing list is that you are unlikely to be assessed as in need of housing , as you already own your own home. i would still chat to them though. these are all things you can do to help yourself.

As said before SW will expect your childrens father to pay maintenace, subject to his means.
If your net income is less than €602 per week you may also get Family Income Supplement
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/family_income_supplement.html
Try for BSCFA, again means tested
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_to_families_and_children/back_to_school_clothing_and_footwear_allowance.html
Finally please contact Treoir, an excellent org. for parents not married to each other.
http://www.treoir.ie/

eastbono

"If your gross earnings are less than €425 per week, you may be entitled to some One Parent Family Payment, but you cannot even apply until you have been apart for three months"


The three month wait only applies if you are married. If you have been co-habiting you can apply straight away for OPFP

CK2010

Im unsure about the ins and outs but look into the one parent family tax credits.
http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it9.html

and perhaps maybe rent tax credit.
http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/credits/rent-credit.html#section1

again i havent a clue if either of these will even apply to you but its worth a try just to see if they may come in handy in the future.

unfortunately you're stuck between a rock and a hard place in that you earn too much to be entitled to financial support but too little to support yourself.
maybe try to get in contact with Dolphin House about guardianship and maintenance.

http://www.courts.ie/offices.nsf/058819d20f75c85c80256e45004d3eb5/03ba94ff0ad804d680256e45005861bd?OpenDocument


is the 3year old entitled to the ECCE grant this year or next year?

sorry im not much help.