Going onto benefits and CTC NRP

Lucy82

Hi,

I was just wondering just so that we are prepared. My husband is a NRP and been on non means tested benefits and paid monthly to the CSA I think about £20 a month? but also paying for other things not handing over cash but buying things for the child. Just recently we have had a baby and had to apply for HB CTB and awaiting to hear from CTC.

All this is in our joint names as we are married and recently had a baby together. Will his payments now go up for the CSA? Do we have to inform them of our changes? I really wanted to know so that we can put some extra money away just so we don't get into dept and can pay any extra that is owed straight away rather then worry about it.

Thank you.

shell_542

Child tax credits are always classed as the NRP's income. You could ring them and ask whether they need to know about the child tax credits and to give you an idea of how much the amount will increase by (if indeed it does).

Lucy82

Thanks I will do.

I just used the CSA online calculater and put in what our income will approx be when we get our CTC awarded and ticked the box to say that he is on benefits and it still came up with £5? I unticked the box to say that he wasn't on benefits and it said that he would have to pay a lot more?

It doesn't seem right so I would have thought if we have more income then we would have to pay more.

shell_542

There was a similar question on here not long ago, I just had a read back and it was confirmed by an ex CSA employee that while an NRP is on JSA (or income support I would assume) that the CSA rate would only be the £5 a week, regardless of child tax credits.

alwayspuzzled

Hi, I'm still getting my head round all this but from how I have read the csa rules if NRP is highest household earner tax credits are included as income, if NRP and NRPP are on equal wages then 50% is included as income, if NRPP is highest earner than tax credits are not included. Also NRPP's income isn't included.

shell_542

alwayspuzzled wrote: »

Hi, I'm still getting my head round all this but from how I have read the csa rules if NRP is highest household earner tax credits are included as income, if NRP and NRPP are on equal wages then 50% is included as income, if NRPP is highest earner than tax credits are not included. Also NRPP's income isn't included.

That is only in regards to WORKING tax credits.

Child Tax Credits are ALWAYS included in the NRP's income (when working).

Lucy82

Neither of us are working, I've just had a baby and have no income whatsoever, my husband is on low rate DLA and Industrial Injuries Benefit then we have the CB for the baby, we are still awaiting to hear from CTC but because he is on benefits it says on the CSA calender that £5 a week is still required? So if the CTC are taken into account I would have thought that this amount would have increased.

shell_542

I would recommend ringing and confirming with them but like I said normally when the NRP is on benefits, they pay the £5 base rate.

alwayspuzzled

shell_542 wrote: »

That is only in regards to WORKING tax credits.

Child Tax Credits are ALWAYS included in the NRP's income (when working).

Ah, that changes my calculations then, trying to make sure I've put enough aside for when OH's variation is sorted out so we can pay the arrears straight away. I didn't see anything in any of their info about child tax credits. Only that they may include tax credits and then the info about whos income being higher NRP/NRPP for working tax credits. Is that 100% of child tax credits or 50% and what about the Childcare element of working tax credits?

shell_542

100% of Child Tax Credits.

Unfortunately, the Childcare Element of Working Tax Credits are included in the calculation. (All/half/none depending on who earns the most) x