Tax credit changes, 3 kids, new partner claim

[anastaisia]

Hi

Just after a bit of advice. Me and my boyfriend of several years are thinking about moving in together. We don't and haven't lived together before so I've had a single parent tax credit claim running.

He's currently a student and is/will be working part time around retraining.

I have 3 children and am self employed on a fairly low wage.

Ideally we'd wait a bit longer to move in, but he will be studying for 3 more years. Am I right in thinking that if we don't make a joint claim in the next week or so, any new joint claim would be treated as a new claim and we'd only get tax credits as though we have 2 children in the household under the new rules? Or would it be protected because the children are older?

I don't want to make a rushed decision because of this - but I equally don't want to leave it a few weeks too long and then we find we can't afford to move in together for 3 more years because of the 3 child rule changes!

Thanks

Currently this situation is that a break of more than 26 weeks won't be an issue, as any family with 3 or more children will claim tax credits. This is due to change in November 2018 but as you say it could be extended.

Don't think anyone has quite realised that in effect, if the diversion to tc is removed, there will be virtually no state benefits for over two children of any age. Even if conceived in very different economic circumstances.

Shit happens, bereavement, job loss, DV, it would fundamentally changed society to have so many plunged into deep poverty.

Reading the legislation that has already happened. Except there is a fudge in place. Wow

Not for children born after next week no. I believe they have realised though they just don't care.
But it's all ok because if a child is born as the result of rape the dwp will pay out.

I don't think people have realised the implications at all as none of it is clear.

But if it's for new claims, then it so for children already here.

It's just those already claiming will be protected so nobody notices.

But family with a bereavement and previously not claiming TCs, would be impacted.( current fudge not withstanding)

I am not surprised the guidance is poor currently. It is not until you read the legislation, and impact assessment it is clear what the actual policy is.

Which is no benefits over 2 kids, except for the very limited exception cases.

Andknow when you have time I would really appreciate your comments on the following pdf about what triggers a migration to UC. This states that TC renewal certainly will as it is not possible to claim a legacy benefit once an area is full service. Smoke and mirrors everywhere, people need to be told properly where they stand. All so vague.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/What-triggers-a-claim-for-Universal-Credit-in-a-full-service-area.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwiX6Mi9w_7SAhULL8AKHWFwBOgQFggaMAA&usg=AFQjCNH5SZiS8FTrgHlC54VfpbNrXYJHZg&sig2=fdwCcIav7rsK3igAxOTgSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.welfare-benefits-unit.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/What-triggers-a-claim-for-Universal-Credit-in-a-full-service-area.pdf&ved=0ahUKEwiX6Mi9w_7SAhULL8AKHWFwBOgQFggaMAA&usg=AFQjCNH5SZiS8FTrgHlC54VfpbNrXYJHZg&sig2=fdwCcIav7rsK3igAxOTgSg

Also complete LOL at the use of the word 'choice' where it is nothing of the sort.

I am disappointed the impact assessment doesn't look at situations involving DV and bereavement.
In my own particular circumstances I would have only been able to claim for 2 of my 4 children as I did not claim tax credits so I had to make a completely new claim when I sought refuge. Money isn't everything but it would have made the decision to leave my abusive DH a lot harder. That and the benefit cap would also mean I would have struggled to find long term accommodation that I met the affordability criteria for so would have been stuck in limbo in the refuge.
Looking back I am so glad I bit the bullet and ran when I did.
Shame they couldn't put safeguards in place somehow.

Leather claimants will be able to choose whether to claim UC or remain on tax credits at renewal. However very recently there have been changes, wherby claimants who have more than two dc will not be able to claim UC until after November 2018.

It will technically be a choice otherwise a small number of people will be better if on UC. In practice it would be disastrous from many claimants as all transitional protection if the award was lower would be lost)

That Newcastle PDF suggests a tc renewal is a 'choice' either TCs or UC.

It is the folk just coming into the system most at risk.

It suggests that in the table but then further down states that if an area is full service claimants will NOT be able to claim a legacy benefit. Which is what I am on about.

Which is it then?

That's new claimants not renewals .They wouldn't then be "claiming a legacy benefit" "they would be continuing to receive a legacy benefit".

Jane is claiming tax credits, she lives in a full service area so she has no choice but to remain on tax credits at renewal.

Joanne is claiming tax credits she does not live in a full service area AND has less than three children. She can choose to switch to UC or remain on TC at renewal time.

Jill is claiming tax credits she does not live in a full service area , she has three children. She has no choice but to remain in tax credits at renewal time.

Ok I hope you are right! So worried to see how this all plays out.

I know , I hate this government.