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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be gutted that I won't be getting tax credits for 3rd child?

877 replies

GutenTag · 30/07/2016 07:24

I'm just wondering what people's opinion is really.

We are trying for a 3rd child and I won't be getting any tax credits for this child as the government has changed the rules so that from next year tax credits are only paid for up to a maximum of 2 children.

I currently receive around £1k of TC for the kids and I would have received £4k for the 3rd if the government hadn't made the changes.

That would have meant an extra £250 a month. It's a lot of money for us. My DH works and I'm a SAHM. We have a £100k mortgage on a small house in a deprived area of town. We get by. We don't have much money left each month and I need to save literally for everything. I'm really really gutted. I really wanted 3 kids and this has meant that I'll be financially alot worse off now.

Of course I don't expect the government to "pay" for my children but it would have really helped, that's all. It would have eased the pressure off.

Just for the record we have never received any other benefits apart from JSA when DH was made redundant last year which was a godsend as we would have been homeless otherwise.

Do you think AiBU to feel/ think like this?

OP posts:
CuboidalSlipshoddy · 30/07/2016 11:56

I am not some benefit scrounge popping out children for cash!

It's an irregular verb.

I claim only the bare minimum of much-deserved and entirely justifiable help that secures my rights to a basic standard of living.

You are legitimately claiming your full entitlement as is your right.

They are feckless dole scum.

ishallconquerthat · 30/07/2016 11:56

I will bite too.

I would love a third child. Guess what? I can't afford it, so I'm not having one! (at least for the time being)

FuzzyOwl · 30/07/2016 11:56

I'm pregnant with my second and we plan a third but hadn't even looked at benefit support. All of our planning has been based around what savings we have, DH's salary and the maternity pay my employer will provide us with and whether I will return to work or take a short career break.

DragonsEggsAreAllMine · 30/07/2016 11:56

The benefit cap doesn't apply to those claiming working tax so somebody can work the minimum of sixteen hours and then keep having children as the money goes up with every child. It's stopping now for new claims but it needs to be applied retrospectively too. Everyone should have the same rules and the government needs to be far far more firmer.

Afreshstartplease · 30/07/2016 12:04

Dragons do you mean if someone gets wtc they will get ctc for 3rd+ DC born after April 2017?

KondosSecretJunkRoom · 30/07/2016 12:08

Everyone should have the same rules and the government needs to be far far more firmer.

Isn't universal credit supposed to be the great benefit leveller? Although it must be eons since I've heard any politicians mention it, is that still happening?

orangebird69 · 30/07/2016 12:09

No they won't Afresh.

Afreshstartplease · 30/07/2016 12:17

Confused as to what dragons is meaning then?

DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel · 30/07/2016 12:19

Kondos yes UC is still happening. Just moved to our area. We are waiting for our first payment in 15 days

ReginaBlitz · 30/07/2016 12:23

Here's an idea, the change is for kids born after April 17 get shagging, get Keith cheggers you might just might pop it out by April.

RepentAtLeisure · 30/07/2016 12:23

And, allegedly, some families try for an ASD/ADHD diagnosis to claim disability benefits.

Well, luckily for you and all the other pearl clutchers, obtaining an ASD diagnosis (no personal experience of ADHD) is not easy. My son had meetings with a doctor and a paediatric psychologist for five months before he got an assessment report, and he clearly has an ASD. And a diagnosis is not in turn a golden ticket for benefits.

ArmySal · 30/07/2016 12:32

Hope everything works out for you, OP.

Original poster
GutenTag · 30/07/2016 12:35

lemonlady DH works 37hrs so no we aren't the least amount to get the maximum tax credits.

Though on a similar note I know someone who has a £20k job round the corner from where he lives with 4 kids and gets over £10k in TC. He openly has said that he would never look for a better paid job as it's not worth it as he would need to travel/ more responsibility/ commuting time so wouldn't be "worth it".

OP posts:
screamingeels · 30/07/2016 12:36

I find this really interesting. I don't generally agree with capping family benefits as the children suffer and it's not their fault. But at my DC's school there are a lot of familes on minimum wage jobs and tax credits. None of them have less than 3 kids, 4,5,6 kid families are common and it makes me seethe a bit.

However I dont think it's as simple as having kids for more benefits. When we stopped at 2 the financial considerations were about having to get a bigger car; having to get 2 hotel rooms, adding more flights on to holiday cost, more extra curricular activities. If you are financially bumping along the bottom these are not going to be issues for you.

And also if your life is a bit shit having another kid can feel like one positive change you can make. I think my answer would be to somehow make everyone more middle class so they are more invested in not diluting their lifestyle.

And to OP's original question, I don't blame you at all to miss it. We are comfortably off, well into higher rate tax bracket but I still resent losing my child benefit! It's always nice for things to be a bit easier.

Just5minswithDacre · 30/07/2016 12:44

This reply has been deleted

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DrawingLife · 30/07/2016 12:46

I've read until about page 3, seems the discussion has moved on a bit, but I got a bit annoyed with the number of glib "just get a job" responses. People seem to be forgetting the huge cost of childcare in this country, which for two dc could easily eat up most of the extra money coming in.

I'm a bit on the fence about the benefit change as a whole but personally would never budget with tax credits or benefits in mind.

Just5minswithDacre · 30/07/2016 12:47

It's a horrible thread all round Sad

OP, tax credits aren't going to remain the same anyway. Even if UC falls apart before roll out, TCs will continue to have the maximum income ceiling lowered and the rates chipped away. Even those who qualify now, might not qualify much longer.

It's not a system to bet the farm on.

Emergencyigloo · 30/07/2016 12:47

I get around £850 a month in tax credits with two children.

As a lone parent.

I've now just moved in with my partner and tax credits are being re-evaluated. Our combined earnt income is pretty low so I suspect my tax credits will be halved.

Point is, if you get a part time job instead of remaining unemployed whilst your husband financially supports your desire to have more children, you'll bring in an income to make up for lack of 3rd child tax credits.

It's just how it is.

Emergencyigloo · 30/07/2016 12:50

And for the commenters suggesting it's glib to 'just get a job' because of childcare costs ; tax credits subsidise 75% of childcare costs.

My childcare costs per week for two primary schoolers is £170.

Tax credits pay 75% of that.

It's do-able.

ginorwine · 30/07/2016 12:54

Special agent
May I ask what cuts have been made re disability ? I don't know and would like to educate myself .

dowhatnow · 30/07/2016 12:58

Is that additional tax credits just for childcare? 75 % - that's a big help.

Just5minswithDacre · 30/07/2016 12:58

Tax credits pay 75% of that.

No it doesn't.

70% is the maximum.

Just5minswithDacre · 30/07/2016 12:58

Tax credits pay 75% of that.

No it doesn't.

70% is the maximum.

mrgrouper · 30/07/2016 12:59

well if I "faked" the bipolar and ASD to get DLA I must have put on an Oscar winning performance because I have been Sectioned twice. But perhaps it is just part of my scam, spending months in psychiatric units Hmm

soyvanillalatte · 30/07/2016 12:59

I have never received tax credits. inspired to check them out now.