WHICH BENEFITS DO I CLAIM NOW BABY #2 HAS ARRIVED? CONFUSED!

[milkmonster]

I am a lone parent with a 2 year old and a week old newborn.

The unemployed,absent father pays CSA maintenance of £5 per week for our 2 year old. I don't think this will increase for our newborn.

I currently have a weekly income (approx.)of Child Tax Credit £54 , Child Benefit £20, CSA £5 and Income Support £43. No other income.

Can anyone tell me (if they are also in identical circumstances) whether any of these benefits are likely to increase with the newborn's birth aand if so by how much, particularly Child Tax Credit which is apparently doubled? (I've already tried the benefits websites 'entitled to' type calculators but am still confused!

[MrsBonJovi]

You receive an increased of CTC (yes almost double) and Child..about £11.

You should make an arrangement to increase maintenance...

[milkmonster]

MrsBonJovi if the Child Tax Credit increases by double, does that mean that my Income Support would then be reduced as CTX might be considered as 'income', do you know?

Thankyou

[milkmonster]

Similarly, would it mean my Housing Benefit would be reduced as the increased CTX would be considered income?

[MrsBonJovi]

No your Is and HB will not be affected. Why are you only get £43 income support?

[milkmonster]

The Income Support seems to fluctuate every few months, because reductions are made for a Social Fund Loan which is still being paid back. I think it used to be around £55 before the loan repayments.

[AnarchyAunt]

Extra CTC/CB will be disregarded for HB purposes so you will still get all of that.

Maintenance won't increase though if he is unemployed as £5 is the maximum the CSA can take from benefits (unless there are arrears - then they can take a whopping £6)

[AnarchyAunt]

Income Support should be £64 a week unless there are deductions - £21 seems a lot for loan repayment.

[MrsBonJovi]

Aaahh missed the umemployed bit..thats why it the flat rate maintenance deduction..

Your IS should be £64.30 before SF dedcutions. you still need to tell them about new baby so phone on Monday.

Did you claim sure start grant and health in pregnancy?

[MrsBonJovi]

Are you sure that there arent sanctions on your income support for not attending an interview at the jobcentre...agree a £21 deduction for SF is quite high

[milkmonster]

It was a £300 loan (for Removals costs) so I suppose they have to take bigger repayments out.

[MrsBonJovi]

Still seems a high repayment rate...ring on monday and check that is all thats being deducted when you ring and tell them about new baby.

[AnarchyAunt]

Still seems high - I borrowed £812 when I moved recently and I am paying £13.50 a week (single parent, 1 DD)

[milkmonster]

Yes I claimed those 2 grants, incredibly grateful for them as need a double buggy now with a 2 year old and a newborn.

I did miss a jobcentre interview once (asked to come in 4 days before due date), but I havent checked to see if there were deductions for that as they phoned me for my reasons for missing it.

Think I might have to contact someone about Income Support if people here query it?

[milkmonster]

AnarchyAunt could you for a Social Fund loan for a private rented house deposit or month advance do you know? I'm really struggling to save up nearly £1590 downpayment to a letting agent for this reason. I thought the loan doesn't cover deposits or rent advances?

[MrsBonJovi]

Im pretty convinced you are having a WFI sanction imposed cos of missed interview. Its easy to get fixed, Ring I.S tell them baby born, check what deductions you have. Ask if you have a sanction.

Then ring jobcentre...even if no sanction yet. It may still be in back log waiting to be applied and if you can arrange new one/show good cause for non attendance then you will be able to get it all sorted.

[MrsBonJovi]

SF can cover rent in advance but not a deposit. Your local council may have a deposit scheme but it is subject to being homeless/threatened with homelessness