How much/many benefits?

Pimpslider

Hey'all...

Simple question really, but so simple I don't know the answer!!

I split with my partner a number of years ago and have always paid her monthly, in cash, without fail. I see my child as often and reguarly as I can (at least 2 nights and 3 or 4 days a week).

What I'd like to know is, what benefits does she actually get, and how much do they total? She is always saying she has no money, so not only do i give her maintainance, but I also reguarly buy loads more clothes, shoes etc etc...!!

She has been given a council house, so I don't really know what, if anything, she pays in rent. Just her and my child living there. She doesn't work (so she says).

So to clarify, what does a single mother get in benefits, and what are they?

karenx

Depends if she is working or not? If working more than 16hours she will get working tax credits ontop of her wage and child tax credits.
If she isnt working she will be getting child tax credits and income support which is £64 per week. Depending how much she pays you she should only be allowed to keep £20 per week of maintenance while on income support. But she might not be declaring she is getting anything of you which of course is fraud.
Rent wise- depends on the house how meny bedrooms and again if she was working or not.
Everybodys circumstances are different, so need a bit more info

Pimpslider

Cheers KX...

House is a 2 bed.

Not sure what you mean by "Depending how much she pays you she should only be allowed to keep £20 per week of maintenance".

karenx

Sorry worded it wrongly, school holidays are getting to me now haha not used to having my son and all his friends in the house playing during the day haha!

Depending on how much you give her in maintenance as she is only allowed to keep £20 per week of it if she was on income support so she should be declaring all money you give her so her income support can get reduced accordingly. But if she isnt declaring it it will be fraud.
But if she was working 16hours plus then how much you give her wont matter as she is allowed to keep it all.
She will get help with the rent but again what her income is depends on if she gets it paid in full or not.
Is she working? If so do you know how meny hours etc?

Loopy_Girl

How much money are you giving her per month and what is your take home pay?

DX2

Pimpslider wrote: »

So to clarify, what does a single mother get in benefits, and what are they?

Child benefit
Child tax credits
Income support
Council tax benefit
Housing benefit
Child support which she should be declaring.

HGLTsuperstar

Pimpslider wrote: »

What I'd like to know is, what benefits does she actually get, and how much do they total?QUOTE]

We can't answer that as who knows if she's claiming some/all of what she can?

Now, don't take this the wrong way but, if you're thinking she's taking you for a ride (reasonable concern) and want to start asking questions, you did state you've been paying her maintainance in cash. Therefore what proof do you have of this - she can turn round and get the CSA onto you for the "years that you've not paid towards your child's upkeep."

Sorry but it does happen

Pimpslider

HGLT, I understand that, hence why whenever I have upped her monthly money I have got her to sign a piece of paper saying she is happy with it.

I can understand that some people may try to get money they claim haven't been given...but surely it's her word against mine. If after 5, 6, 7 etc years she's never said anything to the CSA about 'not having maintainance paid to her', so for her to suddenly do that would be a bit suspicious surely.

She just annoys me. Every month it's 'when you do you get paid?' and 'can you pay me my money early?'. I'd love to go through the CSA but I want my money to go on my child.

And I believe she does tell them I give her money each month. I seem to remember when we split we had someone round asking about it and we verbally agreed infront of him that it would be cash each month. He said fine, if we are both happy with that.

I was just curious as I have never claimed any type of benefit so the whole scenario is a little confusing as there seem so many types.

Thanks all .

missmontana

I'm a single mum of one in a 2 bed house, I get my rent(LHA) and council tax paid.

I have to pay all other bills.

I get Income Support every fortnight which is about £218 and Child Benefit every 4 weeks which is £80.

Hope that helps!

dmg24

missmontana wrote: »

I'm a single mum of one in a 2 bed house, I get my rent(LHA) and council tax paid.

I have to pay all other bills.

I get Income Support every fortnight which is about £218 and Child Benefit every 4 weeks which is £80.

Hope that helps!

Unless you are disabled, a carer or on the old system, the above amounts are incorrect. Have you included CTC in your IS?

missmontana

I don't get child tax credits, mine is all under IS.... it all gets paid in one.

Is that not right then?