Benefits, housing & debt agencies — the money side of family breakdown
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27
Why money agencies matter in family cases
Separation changes everything financially: two households cost more than one, benefits change, rent/mortgage pressure rises, and debt often follows. These agencies help — and stabilising money strengthens your family court position too.
The main agencies
- Citizens Advice — the all-in-one service: benefits, debt, housing, family (see our CA pages; Adviceline 0800 144 8848)
- Turn2us — benefits calculator and grants search (turn2us.org.uk)
- StepChange — free debt charity, managed repayment plans (stepchange.org; 0800 138 1111)
- National Debtline — free debt advice (nationaldebtline.org; 0808 808 4000)
- Shelter — housing rights and homelessness help (shelter.org.uk; emergency 0808 800 4444)
- DWP — Universal Credit/child benefit changes after separation (gov.uk)
Key money facts when separating
- You must tell Universal Credit about separation (payments and elements change)
- Child maintenance is separate from the court case — apply via the Child Maintenance Service (gov.uk); mediation can agree it too
- Housing: rush decisions are risky; domestic-abuse victims have extra housing rights (see our DA support pages)
How this fits your family court case
Courts expect honest financial disclosure (Form E in financial remedy). Sorting benefits/debt early prevents crises mid-case. Money disputes about family property belong in the financial remedy process — see our financial remedy guide.
Official links
- Child maintenance: https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance
- Benefits after separation: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
- Shelter: https://www.shelter.org.uk
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with these agencies.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.