Money
Date last updated: 21 December 2021
Money after separation
When you separate from a partner it’s important to work out a way to separate your finances fairly for the future. Support is available to help you build a new financial life for you and your family.
If you want more in-depth help with money issues, there are a few different resources on our site that can help.
Help with finances
Financial abuse
It’s important to know about financial abuse and protect you and your child from it. Financial abuse is when someone controls your money or puts debts in your name. Find out more about financial abuse from the Money advice service and what to do if it’s happening to you or if you’re worried you could be affected.
Child maintenance
Child maintenance is very important for children in separated families. The amount due for each child will depend on who they live with and how many nights they spend with their other parent, as well as their other parent’s finances. Find out about child maintenance – how to arrange it, what to do if you can’t agree and the different schemes that are available.
Benefits
Make sure you check your entitlement to benefits, whether you’ve claimed before or not. As a starting point, you will likely be able to claim Universal Credit as a single parent.
You can use a benefit calculator tool to help give you an idea of what you may be entitled to. For a detailed benefit calculation, our helpline is here to help.
You can also see our information on housing options to find out if you can get help with your rent, council tax, mortgage and service charges.
Tips from single parents
Get advice before it goes too far
My problems with rent were about 5 years ago. I got advice before it went too far and kept in contact with my landlord. I’m not the sort of person to be hiding behind the couch! That is how you get into financial difficulty.
Mum, 2 children, age 5 and 11
Try Entitledto
I'd send people to 'Entitledto' for benefits. Sometimes people need really specific things and then the Gingerbread helpline is good. I’ve never needed the helpline, my questions got sorted without that.
Mum, 1 child, age 9
Saving with homemade prezzies
We are doing a lot of homemade pressies this year. For example we’ve made chutney using discounted fruit and vegetables. We save empty jam and sauce jars, which my children decorate with stickers and ribbons. My eldest child is also having a go at making candles
Mum
Saving for Christmas
The best way to cope financially at Christmas, is to set up a post office account at the begining of the year and put a fiver in every week. It will take the load off the big spend!
Mum
Use comparison websites
Use comparison websites for utilities, mobile phone tariffs, etc., to get a good deal
Mum