Benefits question.

[Elliebellybum]

So myself and DH get CTC and WTC. We have three children and apparently we are in a full UC area.

I left 3 weeks ago after a DV incident and now need to claim alone.

I can do 16 hours of self employed work but I am looking to get 16 hours “employed” instead, have just started applying for jobs.

However, I can’t make head nor tail of any of the benefits.

If I change my tax credits claim to single will I get moved onto UC? I keep reading something about the fact I have three children preventing it, but I don’t really understand it at all!

I’m already wavering on going back to ex because it’s all been awful, now it looks like I might be stuck on a phenomenally confusing benefit, that isn’t good for self employed people anyway!

Can anyone shed any light on it. I’m pretty bright but I cannot understand the bits about three children and whether that stops me going over or not?

I keep reading that I can’t aoply for it because I have three children. I’m fine with that, I just need to make sure!!

You can apply. But depending on when your third child was born they may not be included in the claim. I think the minimum is 24 hours work with uc. That might depend on children's age also. But I wasn't on tax credits so don't know if you have to go over to uc. Give them and ring and ask.

Stay strong you got out for a reason and will be setting the children an excellent example.

Contact cms for maintenance

You can apply for it with any number of children. Everyone who is entitled gets payment for their first two children but subsequent children born after a certain date don't get support under the new benefit. You can apply online, just apply make sure you give them all the correct info so your claim isn't delayed.

You will need to make a claim for tax credits in your own name.
People with more than 2 children cannot claim Universal Credit at present.
If you are renting you will also need to claim housing benefit.

Currently, if you have 3 children, you cannot get Universal Credit. I believe this will change at some point in February.