Directed here from r/UKPersonalFinance. My partner and I are separating after 11 years. We have two children under the age of 10, and only one of us works. The other has been a SAHP for ~6.5 years.

Given current economic conditions we cannot afford to run two households on a single income, but neither of us has another place to live that can accomodate the children. As our separation has been amicable, we have continued to co-habit for the time-being but would both prefer to move on and physically separate.

I'm worried about applying for benefits and it looking like we are trying to game the system by claiming to be separated when we are not, but realistically we cannot separate without support. Our youngest child is not yet in full-time education and so it doesn't appear to make financial sense for SAHP to seek employment at present.

Any thoughts on best approach to navigating this situation would be welcome. What to apply for, things to know / look out for etc. Would one of us have to move out / become homeless in order to qualify for support?

If it makes a difference, we have agreed to a 50/50 split of child living arrangements once we separate physically.