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Original poster

Accidentally pregnant so will I get tax credits when partner has another child ??

88 replies

Confusedbutton · 15/04/2017 16:54

So I am pregnant due to a double contraception failure and I'm confused about the tax credit rules. I have a child and this will be my second but my partner has a child with another woman.
The website said i wouldn't get help if this is the third child were responsible for but the child my partner doesn't live here so does it count as this pregnancy being the third ?? Or would this be the second as my partners other child doesn't live with us ??

OP posts:
watchoutformybutt · 15/04/2017 17:03

I'm not 100% sure but i would assume you'd be able to claim tax credits as long as your partner isn't claiming for his other child because you're still only claiming for 2.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 15/04/2017 17:07

Child tax credits can only be paid to one household. If your partner isn't claiming for his child then you would be able to claim for your 2.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 15/04/2017 17:08

Well you would be able to claim for 2 regardless. Hope what I said made sense!

Babyroobs · 15/04/2017 17:14

If you live with your partner and are a family unit and this is the second child in your household then you will get tax credits for both.
Your partners child won't be counted as he/ she lives elsewhere.

Original poster
Confusedbutton · 15/04/2017 17:19

Oh thank god because i wouldn't be able to survive otherwise ! With the family element being taken away any way is harsh enough

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 15/04/2017 17:21

I think the family element is only being taken away for new claims from April 6th so my understanding is that you will continue to get that if you already have a tax credit claim.

Babyroobs · 15/04/2017 17:22

The family element is only worth around £10 a week anyway, although I appreciate that is significant to some low income families.

LovelyBath77 · 15/04/2017 17:30

I take it the other child doesn't live with you, so it would be on the other woman's claim? Sounds complicated.

PyongyangKipperbang · 15/04/2017 17:42

It depends on which claim a child is named on.

My children are named on my claim, therefore if my ex had to make a claim for a future child then his kids that live with me would not have any bearing on it. They cannot be named on more than one claim either, so if the childs mother is claiming, as she would because she is the resident parent, then you are fine.

lakehouse · 15/04/2017 17:50

Sounds like you can really afford another child OP Hmm another family to subsidise. Hey ho...

Saucery · 15/04/2017 17:52

Don't be a dick, lakehouse. She's said why it happened.

Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 15/04/2017 17:52

In practice, it will almost always work out as the third child of the mothers being the one who doesn't get TCs.

Tiggerific1984 · 15/04/2017 18:05

I worried about this as well. My dp has a son with his ex wife and a daughter with me. If I had another it would be my 2nd child and his 3rd. But his son lives with his ex wife so I would assume I would get tax credits for our 2nd child together.

Not that I would plan another child just on tax credits.

summerfling · 15/04/2017 18:07

Oh piss off lakehouse!

I planned my son because I could afford to raise him, I wasn't going to claim any benefits at all. My ex was going to provide....& then he left me, I now cannot afford to not claim benefits....does that mean you can have a pop about "another family to subsidise"??

Things happen, circumstances change!

Op stated 2 types of contraception failed.

LondonMum8 · 15/04/2017 18:07

Pregnancies really should be means-tested.

Babyroobs · 15/04/2017 18:08

Op you will be fine, you will get tax credits for both. It will be hard on people who get pregnant with their third despite taking precautions.

Original poster
Confusedbutton · 15/04/2017 18:25

I do have a full time job but living in London is expensive so I don't need fully supporting I just wanted to see about tax credits because they would be the difference between using a food bank or not.

Thank you to everyone who answered with helpful comments it means a lot

OP posts:
Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 15/04/2017 18:27

Just so you are aware OP food banks aren't there to provide long term sustenance.

MummyBearToTeddy · 15/04/2017 18:28

OMG OP please tell me what contraception you were using because we have been etc for 2yrs and no luck. Willing to try anything Grin

We don't get tax credits so I've no personal experience but I have a couple of friends who do and we had a thing at work about it. As long as your OH isn't claiming tax credits for his other child then you will be fine claiming for your two. They live with you and are you're dependants so you claim for them.

Congratulations on your new baby xxx

summerfling · 15/04/2017 18:30

Pregnancies really should be means-tested.

Hmm are you serious??

MummyBearToTeddy · 15/04/2017 18:32

Oh and to the people saying "another family to subsidise" thats a bit unfair as tax credits are there to help people top up their wage. You're all also paying for my family too if you want as I am a teacher and your tax money pays my salary! Thanks for the money I'll try not to spend it on anything I might get judged for!

MummyBearToTeddy · 15/04/2017 18:34

Unofficially OP I'm super annoyed at you accidentally getting pregnant. If you wouldn't mind sending me the last glass you drank out of I would appreciate it Grin

Pinkandwhiteblossoms · 15/04/2017 18:34

Well, it's not quite the same Mummy

In fact it isn't remotely the same.

Babyroobs · 15/04/2017 18:36

Good point Pink. And you can get tax credits if you've never worked a day in your life, not just as a top up to wages. You can even get them if you have thousands of pounds in the bank. It's a crazy system.

MummyBearToTeddy · 15/04/2017 18:38

@pinkandwhiteblossoms. Sorry. I was just trying to make a point that we pay for a lot more in tax than just people getting benefits and tax credits. In actual fact I'm currently working for love rather than money as I've been back properly since January and still not been paid