Pregnant again but how do I afford it?

pelirocco

bestpud wrote: »

Seems a pretty good set up to me!

Co-own a house with long term partner, so half the mortgage each.

Then you both work full time, but he gets to keep all of his salary to pay off debt, while you top yours up with benefits you undoubtedly would not be entitled to if his income was taken into account.

You may not have had children for what you can get out of the system, but you don't seem to have worried about finances beforehand either!

I will be shot down in flames for this, no doubt, but I'd say you are a benefit cheat! You are claiming benefits a as single person and you clearly are not - that is fraud!

damn I thanked instead of quoting !

I havent seen the Op is saying she is claiming benefits as a single person? perhaps you could point out where she has said this ?:rolleyes:

bestpud

pelirocco wrote: »

damn I thanked instead of quoting !

I havent seen the Op is saying she is claiming benefits as a single person? perhaps you could point out where she has said this ?:rolleyes:

It's quite simple really.

The OP claims tax credits, based on her income alone.

If she and her partner were together, I assume his 'reasonable income' would reduce the award.

Therefore she is claiming as a single parent...? :rolleyes:

But she works, so it doesn't count, of course... :rolleyes:

galvanizersbaby

bestpud wrote: »

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

It depends on many circumstances so they could well be considered a couple if investigated. But tbh the bit that doesn't make sense is the second child.

These people had a child together two years ago, and they decided to buy a house between them, for the child. That's fair enough I guess and pretty decent of the absent father if they were no longer a couple.

Buuut, they are still together and have now conceived another child, under the same set up...?

And there doesn't seem to be any sign of it being a short term thing either, although I'd like to bet the 'killer loan' is a major factor. The OP says they are not currently living together, and that to me says they are in a relationship but don't cohabit.

If they were no longer 'together' I'd have thought she's have said that?

But, yes, I suppose if he is nothing more than a sperm donor then the OP has the right to claim single parent benefits under our current system.

Perhaps I'm just old fashioned...

For what it's worth Bestpud I am with you morally - just not sure that this situation would fall in to fraud and therefore benefit cheating legally under the current system.

galvanizersbaby

bestpud wrote: »

It's quite simple really.

The OP claims tax credits, based on her income alone.

If she and her partner were together, I assume his 'reasonable income' would reduce the award.

Therefore she is claiming as a single parent...? :rolleyes:

But she works, so it doesn't count, of course... :rolleyes:

I believe in addition there is also a sizeable single parent element to tax credit award

bestpud

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

bestpud wrote: »

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For what it's worth Bestpud I am with you morally - just not sure that this situation would fall in to fraud and therefore benefit cheating legally under the current system.

No, perhaps not...

Depends where he lives, and/or spends most if his time, among other factors, I guess.

I know where I'd put my money though!

And, tbh, if this question was asked by someone claiming income support or the like, different assumptions would be made. Sometimes it is easy to forget working people can also commit fraud.

bestpud

galvanizersbaby wrote: »

I believe in addition there is also a sizeable single parent element to tax credit award

Off the top of my head, I don't think there is a single parent element as such, but rather a couple and a single person have the same allowance iyswim?

galvanizersbaby

bestpud wrote: »

Off the top of my head, I don't think there is a single parent element as such, but rather a couple and a single person have the same allowance iyswim?

I have a friend who works for HMRC and she is involved in the tax credits side - I'm pretty sure I remember she told me there was a lone parent element (amount you qualify for is probably dependent on your earnings/hours you work/childcare etc...)

I have never claimed it though I think I would qualify but did look in to it briefly a few years ago when things were more up in the air and my childcare costs were very high and I was struggling to afford them - since then they have dropped considerably and my ex husband is able to deal with.

pelirocco

bestpud wrote: »

It's quite simple really.

The OP claims tax credits, based on her income alone.

If she and her partner were together, I assume his 'reasonable income' would reduce the award.

Therefore she is claiming as a single parent...? :rolleyes:

But she works, so it doesn't count, of course... :rolleyes:

I didnt think of that , wouldnt she be checked tho?

kindofagilr

If that is what is going on, OP is still technically not breaking the law.

Father of the babies doesnt live there, I thought that people who were claiming benefit and claiming to live alone (with just their kids) are allowed boyfriends to stay over 3 nights a week or something?

galvanizersbaby

pelirocco wrote: »

I didnt think of that , wouldnt she be checked tho?

I think as in the posts above she may be legally within her rights to claim as a lone parent if the father of her child/children is not co-habiting/living at the same address.

However the fact that he is a co owner of the property should throw up a few question marks but not automatically.

I think what Bestpud is saying is that she has since concieved another child with her partner/co-owner (whatever he is referred to) implys that they are still together in some respects.

Legally under the current system this may hold water but morally this is playing the system and wrong (in my opinion)