This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland

Many women are reluctant to leave their partners because they don't have the financial resources to support themselves on their own.

This section has advice on help available if you leave your partner because of domestic abuse. If you are staying in your home, and you need help paying for it, you'll have different options.

Claiming benefits

If you leave your partner, you may also have trouble affording your general living costs. You may be able to apply for tax credits or benefits to help.

If you are already claiming benefits, you will need to contact the Benefits Agency office, Jobcentre plus office, and/or council to let them know about your change of circumstances.

In an emergency, you may be able to get a crisis loan or budgeting loan to help you to pay for essentials.

If you are unsure what you might be entitled to, get advice. If you are staying in a refuge, the refuge staff should be able to advise you on what benefits you may be entitled to, and in making an application. You can also get advice on benefits from Citizens Advice or another local advice agency. Use our advice services directory to search for an advice agency near you.

Housing costs

One of your biggest costs if you leave your partner is likely to be your housing costs. You may be able to get for housing benefit to help pay the rent. The amount you will get depends on your circumstances (your income, the people in your household, etc).

If you still have to pay rent on the home you have left, you may be able to get housing benefit on two homes for a limited period.

If you face other housing costs (for example, if you are moving into privately rented accommodation and have to pay a deposit) you may be able to get a crisis loan or budgeting loan to help. The council or social services may also be able to help. If you need help to furnish a new place, there may be a local furniture project that can help out with low-cost furniture.

Child maintenance

If you leave your partner, you can apply for child maintenance from them, to help with the costs of bringing up your children, although you may not wish to do this if it may cause you or your children further harm or distress. If you are afraid that your partner may threaten or mistreat you or your child if they are forced to pay child maintenance, it's best to get advice before making a claim.

You don't need to let your partner know where you're living in order to get child maintenance and there is no need for you to contact them yourself. Once you have made your application, the Child Support Agency (CSA) will contact your partner by phone or letter. Child maintenance is paid to the CSA and then passed on to you. The CSA is responsible for making sure your partner keeps making the payments.

If you make a claim for income support or jobseeker's allowance, you won't have to apply for child maintenance separately. If you don't want to apply for child maintenance because you think it's likely to be risky or distressing, you can ask to opt-out and be financially independent from your partner. However, the CSA has to be satisfied that you or your child would be at risk of harm or undue distress if you applied for maintenance, otherwise they may impose a benefit penalty.

To find out more, contact Citizens Advice, Women's Aid or the Child Support Agency.

Opening a bank account

If you don't have your own bank account, try to arrange to open one before you leave.

If you already have your own bank account(s) and credit card(s), make sure you tell the bank and credit card company your new address, so that your partner can't get hold of your statements. Use a 'care of' address if you don't want anyone to know where you're staying. Be aware, however, that many banks won't send information to a care of address.

Send us feedback

Get advice by email