Tax credits. To apply or not to apply?

[Oddsocksforeveryone]

Before I explain this isn't a dig at anyone so there's no need for any hostility.
DH brings home 1700-2000 a month which is enough for us to pay rent/bills food and basics etc but not enough for a car/holidays things like that. But they are treats rather than necessities I think? We plan to save for holiday next year.
I'm a SAHM, our youngest is 1 and we have a baby due October.
We're happy and once the kids are all at school the plan is for me to start working again.

Just trying to avoid drip feeding.
We are able to apply for tax credits, obviously more money is nice, we don't own our house or anything and obviously are not well off but we both feel that if we are able to cope without it then maybe we shouldn't apply?
It has come up in conversation with different people over the years, more so lately. Possibly because I don't work and we will have 4dc by Christmas I think the assumption is that we're on benefits and I don't know why but at least round here people seem to be struggling financially (which means different things to different families) our area is very mixed financially and it has lead to some probing questions about what money you get and from where.
It seems that most people who can claim, do. People who do haven't really understood why we don't. I was on income support as a single parent before I met DH and there were definitely times I was judged for it so maybe that's why I'm reluctant, I started work at 14 so am not work shy or anything and DH has never been on benefits, we are in our early 30s now.
Is it sensible for us to not take money that we don't absolutely need, or are we being odd and missing out for no reason?

I would. You may not need it now but the older kids get the more they cost. You're entitled for a reason the government don't just give money away!
It'll be more stressful to apply with two kids as well. Put the money in a savings account if you can afford it !

If you weren't entitled to them your claim would turned down so it's not like you 'scamming' or lying etc. I see no reason not to apply. Just cos you can just about live without it doesn't mean the extra wouldn't be beneficial to you all. I say go for it.

Apply now as you will get it for all three dc if you wait you will only be able to claim for two from November 2019.

I would (I do although get hardly anything- every little helps!) It's there for a reason and although its great that you get by on what you have it might ease the pressure and bit.

Definitely apply, kids get more expensive the older they get and the money will be needed believe me.
If you weren't entitled to anything then you wouldn't get it and as UC comes in the rules are stricter anyway and you'd need to find work or not claim, depending on age of dc.

Gillbeanz not on that household income she won't need to work , at least not until youngest dc is 13.

Thanks everyone :)

Just apply. Honestly the way things are going you may be in need in the future but unable to claim.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=8dllkfKg7B4

Op tax credits were never "benefits" the Tories have done a great job redefining them.

Go ahead op, it's not as though if you don't the money will go towards a really worthy cause like people below the breadline, it will probably just buy a Tory mp new bathroom tiles. It would be better claimed and given to charity than not claimed, however no reason your dc shouldn't benefit from it, even if you only save it.

I disagree andnow. They are, just like state education and the nhs are benefits the majority claim. Claiming tax credits as a sahm is no different to claiming is as a lone parent except the former provides a better quality of life and lasts till dc are 18. One shouldn't be viewed as bad and one good by society, when society is the reason the majority need to claim either. Labelling one measly sum a benefit and one not is akin to worthy and unworthy claimants.