Child tax credits father in prison.

fifilapew

Hi all, I have already posted reagrding my almost 3 month wait for CTC. I have been calling them weekly to find out what the situation is and got the closest thing to an explanation yesterday, when I was told that i had said that I was in a 'relationship' with my partner. When I told her that he has been in prison for nearly 4 years and has at least another 10 to serve she seemed to think it didn't matter as I had said ( I may well have done as I didn't think it would make a difference) we were in a 'realtionship' . I have 2 children and am income support and their father as much as he would like to is unable to contribute financially due to being in prison. I am so frustrated! i am still waiting for them to make a decision now.

I am also wondering if the fact that he has £25,000 in a bank account that is frozen and unlikely to be returned to him is a factor? i am fed up of waiting and trying to live on £64 p/w and loans/ handouts from friends and family.

Vader123

See

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/keep-up-to-date/changes-affect/family-change/goes-into-custody.htm#1

Does that help?

Vader

alwaysonthego_2

I am sure there is something in legislation that the partner, the Op, should be treated as a single person for TC purposes. Hopefully someone will confirm.

fifilapew

Thanks, thats what I thought, that I am to all intents and purposes a single parent, regardless of my romantic inclinations towards my partner. The woman on the phone seemed to be suggesting that this wasn't the case though. I think I am going to try CAB tomorrow as they can't give me any timescale as to when they might see fit to let me have the chhild tax credits which I am entitled to have to feed my children.

They keep telling me it's my own fault for not letting them know sooner that i was living alone, but I didn't want to claim money I didn't need at the time so didn't bother, it now seems i am being penalised for my lack of greed!

Vader123

fifilapew wrote: »

They keep telling me it's my own fault for not letting them know sooner that i was living alone, but I didn't want to claim money I didn't need at the time so didn't bother, it now seems i am being penalised for my lack of greed!

No, you are being penalised for not telling them of a change of cirumstances.

Every single award letter states you must tell them if your circs change.

Its the #1 golden rule.

Vader

fifilapew

Yes, you're right I should have told them, but as I didn't need the money at the time I just didn't even think about it. I still don't think that nearly 3 months is a reasonable time scale to leave me waiting to look after 2 children though. It really is only down to the help of friends and family that we are surviving.

DX2

http://www.prisonersfamilieshelpline.org.uk/

krisskross

How old are the children? Perhaps you would be better off working.

DaisyFlower

Your other post says you have a child aged 2 and your partner is now an ex partner hence the change to a single claim yet this post says your ex has been in prison for 4 years and your are still romantically involved??

fifilapew

They are 3 and 5. I really don't want to go back to work until the youngest is at school full time ( I had a small business, which folded, up untill sep09 which allowed me to keep the kids with me). I did work full time when my eldest was a baby but it was alot of pressure and heartache in return for just about keeping a roof over our heads, so for now I would like to concentrate on being able to look after them properly and being able to tkae them to school and not having to feel bad every time they have a school play or they are sick.

fifilapew

DaisyFlower wrote: »

Your other post says you have a child aged 2 and your partner is now an ex partner hence the change to a single claim yet this post says your ex has been in prison for 4 years and your are still romantically involved??

Yes it's a bit confusing I know. My daughter ( who was 3 yesterday ) was conceived about 2 months before their dad was arrested. With regards to the romantic involvement, I basically have no plans to meet anyone else ( we were together for 10 years before he was arrested) but the practicalities of my situation are that I am a single parent.