UC / 3rd Child / Different Homes

[august29]

Hi. I've had a search, but can't seem to find an answer to my situation. Anyone have experience of this?

I am recently divorced. We had 3 children together. No other children from other relationships.

The two eldest (sons) living with mum and the youngest (daughter) living with me (dad).

Daughter was born after the can only claim for the first two children rule came into play.

What I want to fully understand is, is it possible for me to claim some sort of UC or other benefit for my daughter, the third child, as I am not claiming for the first two (although their mum will be) and she is the only child living with me? Apart from claiming jobseeker's allowance for a few weeks around 18 years ago, I've never claimed anything (well, apart from the weekly child benefit payments everyone gets), so I'm just getting to grips with how this all works. We were comfortable running a house as a family on two incomes, but now I'm setting up on my own, daughter living with me, also having time with my boys most days with school runs / clubs etc, trying to work shifts. My sole income is a struggle now. I've looked at one of the online calculators, but the situation of just having the third child living with me and UC eligibility isn't something I can find the answer to. Any advice? Thank you. Matt

Yes you could claim UC and have a child element for your daughter on that claim. However on your wage and with only once child on the claim you may not qualify unless you need to claim help with rent and/ or childcare costs etc. It really depends on your situation and your monthly earnings. You can also claim child benefit for the child that is living with you. And if you are the only adult in the household now you can claim single occupancy discount on your council tax.

Thanks for your response Babyroobs.
OK, thank you, good to know my daughter will be considered when applying for UC even though she's a third child.
I have bought house with a mortgage. Take home pay £1750, although I live in a cheap area for housing (relative to most of England anyway). An online calculator says I would be entitled to a small amount, although a bit bigger if able to include child. Think it's just going to take a lot of getting used to with a single income and time to start watching the pennies (not that I was ever flush). Thanks