Do I have to tell Tax Credits & Council about this?

[New2ctc]

Hi all,
Appreciate your experiences. New to tax credits. Single parent, 2 children, house with mortgage. A friend of mine completed her house sale next week. She's buying another one, but it's going through probate & is going through searches & conveyancing etc.
She's putting her house contents in storage unit.
I said she can stay here until her new house completes. I won't be charging her any money (really good years & years friend) but will expect her to buy food.
Obvs her income is hers (no idea but higher tax bracket).
Do I need to tell Child Tax Credits / Council Tax / Child Benefits?

How long can she stay before it's a thing? Her mail won't come here, she's using her parents address (in neighbouring county, not handy for work).

I would, not sure on all the rules but I'd tell them.

Tell them

If you don’t need to tell them - then no impact
If you do - then they’ll update your claim

It’s lovely idea but DWP will assume
She is either paying you rent or is a partner and her income should come into account. If was a week or two then short visit is
Fine. But probate could take months and months and buying a new one.

It could be letting them know you have a lodger and take token rent which will come out of Benefits may not leave you any worse
Off. That way less “public” money and friend pays her way which is fair considering you rely on benefits. Ignoring it and hoping for the best could end badly for you.

I wouldn’t tell them. It’s clearly a temporary arrangement, she isn’t becoming your partner or a permanent part of your household.

You need to at least tell them OP

I probably shouldn't say this, but a very close relative of mine claims Working Tax Credit (not CTC as their DC is an adult). Their partner moved in. Their partner doesn't work or claim benefits, so relative hasn't changed their claim. This is because she assumes they would get less money if she declared him, plus she would have to close her claim and claim UC, which she doesn't want to do.

Yours is different as your friend is not your partner. But I would put your circumstances into a benefits calculator first, as any money assumed to come to you from your friend will be taken off your TC award, depending how much TC you get, it could close your award (if you only get a little), then you would never be able to reclaim TC, but have to claim UC.

What's the difference between CTC and UC? I don't think I get housing costs anyway (I have a mortgage). I have one child using wraparound childcare, one teenager and I earn around £24k before tax & pension.

@New2ctc

What's the difference between CTC and UC? I don't think I get housing costs anyway (I have a mortgage). I have one child using wraparound childcare, one teenager and I earn around £24k before tax & pension.

Why don’t you just give them a buzz on Monday for clarification?

Why don’t you just give them a buzz on Monday for clarification?

Of course I will, I've just head so many people on here share their experiences I thought I'd ask! Also, I've read it's very difficult to get through so I'll email.
But anyone else who's been in the position, please let me know what you did.
Thank you!

I assume you’re claiming single person reduction on council tax and you’ll have to declare that