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Tax credits advice

4 replies

susanne1318 · 13/01/2014 17:18

I'm after some advice regarding tax credits.

Me and my ex broke up when my first son was 4 months old, he moved out and I started claiming tax credits. My second son was conceived whilst we were in the process of breaking up. We decided to keep it as we both couldn't go through with a termination.

As my ex moved back in with parents, I struggled to pay the bills in the flat we lived in on my wages and child maintenance. I decided to move back in with my mum for financial reasons and for the support when my second son was born.

Me and my ex have been very on/off since we broke up last year and he has stayed at my mums the occasional night/weekend mainly to help with our first son and because I was so tired during my pregnancy. I now need to move out of my mums as her situation has changed so me and the boys dad have decided to give our relationship another go. My plan was to move back into the flat i own once the tenants have moved out and see how me and the boys dad get along without him moving in straight away letting him stay the occasional night/weekend.

I phoned tax credits today to see if this was ok and would it affect my credits. I unfortunately spoke to a very unhelpful advisor who told me if you are a couple it doesn't matter wether he lives with me or not if we are a couple then we need to submit a joint claim. I told the advisor that he would still be living at his mums paying his bills there etc and not contributing towards mine but apparently this doesn't matter.

I'm now concerned as when I've phoned tax credits to tell them of change of address and to add my second son to my claim they only asked if I was living with a partner to which I've always replied no as I haven't. Does this mean I've miss informed them as me and the boys dad have been very on/off. I'm sure I've seen another thread that a women told tax credits her and her kids dad lived apart for financial reasons but was told it didn't affect her claim. I only added my second son the other day as he is two weeks old and I'm now worried that this will look suspicious to tax credits that I've had another child yet am not together or live with the child's father.

It seems different advice is given depending on what advised you speak too. Has anyone been in this position or can offer any advice?

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EMMAWOLLASTON · 16/01/2014 08:39

As far as I see it your relationship is off as there is no commitment from him to a relationship with you, financially or emotionally. In that sense. Try not to worry, worry is what they use to get legitimate claims not to. Its a hard enough time for you without this additional burden. x

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purpleroses · 16/01/2014 08:51

You can have a BF and still claim as an individual. You only claim as a couple if you're living together.

They may be a bit suspicious if you have a BF who's the dad of your DCs and doesn't live with you, but as long as he has a proper address somewhere else and doesn't stay round yours most of the time then you should be OK. He should make sure everything official is registered at his proper address not yours (esp any benefit claim he might make).

I would just put in a claim as a single person and make no mention of your BF. When they say "do you have a partner?" say "No, I live on my own with my two DCs"

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susanne1318 · 16/01/2014 09:07

Thanks for the advice, I thought I would phone tax credits again to tell them we are back together and moving into a place together in two months. The advisor was really nice and said until we actually move in together and he has his own address up until then I can claim as I single person. Why does the advice vary depending on who you speak too? I was sick with worry after speaking the the first advisor who must have told me wrong.

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purpleroses · 16/01/2014 13:58

I think you're right - the first advisor told you wrong. Glad you got a better one this time. My advice if you get one who's rude or seems to be talking rubbish is to make excuses and hang up then redial.

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