Benefits advice

[Lollipopslife17]

I separated from my partner 2 weeks ago. We were getting child tax credit of £321.30 per month (reduced because they are claiming back an overpayment).
Getting child benefit for my 2 kids age 5 & 1.
I want to report a change of circumstance to the HMRC because of an end of relationship and I am wondering what effect it will have on my benefits. Please help I am not working at the moment.

Does that tax credits payment include childcare?

Do you work?, how many hours?

Try using entitled to website

Oh I see your not working. I don't understand why your payment is so high

Jesus. Ignore me I now realise you say per month not week.

Clearly cannot read.

As I understand it a joint overpayment can't come from your new single payment. Me and exh had to arrange to pay 50% each. New single claim should be for your full entitlement. Remember you can spread out overpayment repayments over at least 2 years so don't let them insist on more than you can easily manage.

Thanks all. But what else am I entitled to please?

• I am not working at the moment *No childcare cost

Free school meals and pupil premium for your school age DC I think

What is your housing situation

Use the benefits calculator online 'entitledto.com' and this should give you a better idea.

Afreshstartplease; thanks a bunch, I have just checked the website entillted to.

As a lone parent with a child under 3 unemployed under old system

Income support
Child tax credit
Housing benefit (if renting depends on lha if mortgage probably interest only)
Council tax benefit
Free school meals, pupil premium, school uniform grant at beginning of school year
Child maintenance from ex via cms
Free prescriptions, eye tests & specs if you need them

Under UC - depends where you live

Standard element - instead of income support
Child element - instead of tax credits
Housing element instead of housing benefit

Not sure how council tax bit works

Check with calculators at entitledto and turn2us also go see/talk to local welfare advisor at council welfare dept

They will stop your joint claim and send you a claim form for a single claim, or they may be able to process your single claim over the phone, but either way, their will be a period where you don't get anything, I'm afraid, while the changeover happens.

If you aren't working and are getting income support, you will not get working tax credits, but will get maximum child tax credits, which will be £2780 for each of your children plus £545 family element, so £6105, but it's June, so only 10 months of the year left, so that would be reduced by 2/12, leaving £5087.50 approx, which is £97.84 per week.

Thanks a bunch all