Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Original poster

Benefits/DLA virgin needs advice please

13 replies

outnumberedbyboyz · 14/04/2015 12:43

Well, the last few months have been a rollercoaster in every way possible.

Overview is i'm a lone parent with two boys 7&4. 7 year old recently diagnosed with additional needs. Tax credits slashed my income as they made an error and left me with a £3.5k debt to pay. I've had to claim housing and council tax benefit (for the first time ever) to make ends meet. I work part time to fit around my children but it's a low income.

1/ Can I pay back a minimal monthly amount to tax credits?

2/ I've claimed DLA for additional needs son (still to receive letter but been a payment to my bank). Do I need to inform tax credits of DLA once I know the weekly/monthly amount in writing? What would be the likely outcome of this?

3/ Do I need to let housing/council tax benefits people know of DLA award? Also, what would be the likely outcome of this please?

4/ Do I need to inform tax credits of housing/council tax benefits? What would be the outcome?

I'm so sorry for all the questions but i'm very new to all of this. I'm a proud person and I don't like asking for help but I've had no option. I feel really weird about talking to actual people about money and tbh I don't know anyone in a similar situation to ask.

Many thanks for any answers given :)

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 14/04/2015 12:58
  1. If you're still receiving tax credits the maximum they'll take is 25% of your award...it may be worth contacting them about repaying it over a longer time, but I'm not sure how likely that is if it's being taken off an award rather than directly repaid...but see 2.
  1. You can inform them by phone, but, yes do inform them as there is an extra element to tax credits for children with a DLA award, so the likely outcome is a higher tax credits award.
  1. Again, you may qualify for an extra premium.
  1. It should make no difference.
Original poster
outnumberedbyboyz · 14/04/2015 13:06

tabulahrasa - Thank you for your reply. It seems that for once, when I inform them of income changes it'll be positive for me for a change. :)

OP posts:
textfan · 14/04/2015 13:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tabulahrasa · 14/04/2015 13:09

Also...depending on the DLA award and your income, you may be entitled to carer's allowance.

Original poster
outnumberedbyboyz · 14/04/2015 13:14

Yes I get maintenance from their father. I've applied for carers element to the DLA but I have no idea what I've been awarded as yet as they've not written to me. I had a lovely surprise when I looked at my banking this morning though!

What does income support involve? I work 16 hours a week.

OP posts:
Original poster
outnumberedbyboyz · 14/04/2015 13:15

Not thought about the energy provider. I'll let them know when I get DLA letter of confirmation :)

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 14/04/2015 13:19

Income support is only applicable if you work under 16hrs.

Original poster
outnumberedbyboyz · 14/04/2015 13:26

Arr I see, thank you. I'm clueless on all of this but needing to learn fast!

OP posts:
textfan · 14/04/2015 13:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tiredgranny · 15/04/2015 10:01

if still receiving housing benefit, you will get more for a disabled child

Original poster
outnumberedbyboyz · 15/04/2015 11:17

I'm used to when circumstances change money gets withdrawn, not added on. This is a new experience. Thank you for all of your replies :)

OP posts:
ouryve · 15/04/2015 11:25

Yep, you'll definitely get more tax credits. If you get lower or middle rate care you'll get the disabled child premium added on and if you get higher rate care, there is an additional severely disabled child premium on top of that. If you earn under £120pw (I think the new level is) after childcare etc is paid for then you will qualify for carer's allowance, which is a separate thing to DLA, if your child is on middle rate care or higher. That counts as income for tax credits, though, so you won't see all of it, when it's all been worked out.

springbow · 15/04/2015 16:41

Try calling Contact A Family as they can do the calculations for you. It can get quite complicated with Carers Allowance, tax credits, and earnings because CA is taxable. The CA threshold is £110pw but you can deduct childcare and half of your pension savings. If you're over the allowance, it's worth opening a private pension if you don't have one as it can bring you under the earnings threshold and it doesn't get counted as savings for housing benefit. I earn £200pw after tax/NI but pay childcare and then I pay £80 into a personal pension to bring myself under the threshold.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page