Helping a friend work out what they are entitled to

smithyjules

I hope someone can be of help as I'm not really sure what to suggest. I'm married with a child and another on the way very soon. We have a young friend who is somewhat naive bless him (usually a walking disaster!!) and is forever asking our advice. He is only 20 and his girlfriend is 17. They have just had a baby and are living with the girlfriends parents. He works about 30 hours a week and the girlfriend never has worked at all. My thought's were at first that they should apply as a couple for tax credits now they have a child but how does that work if you are living with your partners parent's. I have no doubt they support her financially as well as our friend so i'm not sure that they could claim anything.

Apparently the girlfriend and her mum have been advised that she can claim income support. This doesn't sound right to me and i'm anxious our friend doesn't go along with things in his usual naive way and end up getting into trouble. Also i know he want's to support them both as best he can so would like to help him get what he in genuinely entitled too.

I can appreciate there will be some judgemental responses but I'm hoping for some honest advice/direction too. I realise the situation is far from ideal and our friend just wants them to move in together as a family and begin their lives together...personally i think the girlfriend is very young and used to her home comforts but hey he loves her and they both dote on the baby so any help/advice would be appreciated!

Indie_Kid

She can't claim income support because he earns too much and she doesn't (unless she's a carer or lone parent) have to sign on.

McKneff

They would be entitled to a lot of support if they moved out and lived on their own. As things stand no benefits Im afraid. Any reason why she cant get a part time job.

smithyjules

I thought as much. To give her her due's the baby is only 12 days old so maybe a bit too soon for work lol! mind you there was no excuse before! I think i will just look up a couple of phone numbers online (tax credits and job centre) and tell him to phone them and tell them everything and see what they say.then he'll get the right advice himself rather than having to worry that what his girlfriend has been told is right or not.

Thanks for the replies

Caz3121

Child benefit and child tax credits + possibly working tax credits
entitlement tables are here
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/work-and-child/work-no-childcosts.htm

they can have a look at entitledto.co.uk and it should give a good indication

no help with rent etc as they are housed...if they were in there own place they may get help with part of the rent and council tax based on his salary