I had no idea where to post this!
Long story short - my sister has 2 children with her boyfriend, they both work and receive universal credit child element for the first 2 children. She's desperate for a 3rd baby but cannot afford one, I think the desire for a 3rd comes from having 2 boys and being desperate to try for a girl. The combined wages don't stretch to it and you can't claim child element on universal credit for a 3rd child.
So she's got it in her head that they will just start trying for another one - and should it happen - then her partner will claim for the third child as the first 2 children are claimed for in her name. It gets vague after that as to whether they'll make out that they're no longer together and he has custody of the 3rd child or what!
Erm...where to start?! Wtf right?! It's all hypothetical at this point but can they even actually do that?! It's benefit fraud right? If they do this, she will have to move out with her 2 older ones and leave the baby with dad surely?
Rock and hard place, I'm torn between not wanting her to get caught if they do this (sister, love her, she's family, etc) and wanting to shop her in myself if she does!
Funny thing is they're not low class, benefit scrounging type people! They're a gentle, well spoken couple with lovely children and go to salsa class and dinner parties! It's like they want this 3rd baby that badly that it's at any means necessary!
As I said, it's all hypothetical now but as far as I'm aware they're actively trying for that 3rd and I can't get it off my mind and the google search results on this type of thing are almost non existent!
I mean, we'd all love to have things love but it's tough!
Does anyone know if they can actually do this because it's really hacked me off, I've really seen my arse about it! We've all told her to see sense but so far to no avail and with siblings, the older you get and the more you drift apart as you go into the world and make your own lives, the less you feel like theirs is any of your business!
xx