Financial support

Provides advice and resources for people trying to become financially independent from their abuser.

Bank accounts

If you've left your abuser and you have a joint bank account, withdraw any money that's yours. Then deposit it into a new bank account that's only in your name. 

Then tell your bank that you've separated from your partner. You can ask them to remove your name from the account. It will also prevent you from being responsible for any bills or overdrafts that belong to your partner.

Housing Benefit

You may be able to claim Housing Benefit to help with rent, if you’re on a low income.

You can apply for Housing Benefit, or continue to claim Housing Benefit, if one of the following applies to you:

• you live in supported accommodation
  
• you live in temporary accommodation provided by a Council
• you have more than two children
• you are of Pension Credit age
  
• you are a severely disabled person
  
  

Council Tax reduction

If you're living with someone or are married, you're jointly responsible for your partner's Council Tax. If you split up or maintain separate lives within the same household, contact us to let us know.

Your Council Tax bill may be reduced, depending on your circumstances. Read our Council Tax discounts page for more details.

Sure Start Maternity Grant

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment to help towards the cost of having a baby. You should qualify if it's your first child (or you're expecting twins or triplets) and you already claim benefits.

Find out more about the Sure Start Maternity Grant on the GOV.UK website.

Child maintenance

It may be possible for changes to be made to the way in which child maintenance payments are made. Child maintenance is financial support that goes towards your child’s every-day living costs when you’re separated from the other parent.

You can arrange for child maintenance payments with your ex-partner, if they're agreeable. This is called a ‘family-based arrangement’. A family-based arrangement is a way of arranging child maintenance privately. Both parents arrange everything themselves and no-one else has to be involved.

If you can't come to an agreement, you can apply for child maintenance with the child maintenance service.

Find out more about child maintenance on the GOV.UK website.

Pension Credit

If you're of pension age you may able to claim Pension Credit. Visit the GOV.UK website for details.

More help

You may also find this list of services helpful in providing support with subsistence. Visit the GOV.UK website for details of more benefits you may be entitled to.  For more information and additional national sources of support, visit women's aid website - I need ongoing support.