Just had baby and got back with ex, worried about benefits

V_Debt

well Ive just got back together with my ex girlfriend, she just had our baby, we've spoken and decided to give it another shot.

my worry is that firstly, Im not sure how the benefits work and secondly, that they'll take a long time to process the claims and that we'll be left with no money until they do.

I currently live on my own and receive income support and LHA/housing benefit.

From what I understand, if my girlfriend moves in, Ill have to inform income support who will then stop my payments. Ill then have to tell the council and make a claim as a couple for tax credits, child benefit and LHA/housing benefit.

So my housing benefit payments will stop until theyve sorted out the joint claim, they wont be able to process the claim until they know our income, which we wont know until we've registered the baby and been told if we're going to receive any tax credits.

Its more complicated than that but thats the main part, Im thinking by the time the baby is registered and we've got the birth certificate, that will take maybe a week and a half, then apply for tax credits, say 4 weeks for that to come through, that would mean that it wont be sorted out by when my next HB payment would be due, meaning we wont be able to pay the rent or have any money to live on for over a month as my income support payments will have stopped.

Does anyone know if the council can assess a claim based on our income now or they would indeed have to wait to see if we're going to get any tax credits etc?

welshmoneylover

Wouldn't you be better off working rather than relying on the tax payer to bring up your child?

At least you won't be at the uncertainty of benefit payments in the future.

healy

welshmoneylover wrote: »

Wouldn't you be better off working rather than relying on the tax payer to bring up your child?

At least you won't be at the uncertainty of benefit payments in the future.

This does not in any way answer the OPs question.

I do not know why you come on this forum as what you say is rarely constructive.

dmg24

OP, for what reason are you on IS? Does your partner work?

afc80

If you put in a joint claim for income support, as i assume that you are both unemployed and move in together you will be entitled to more LHA not less, you may get a £15 excess weekly payment as your bedroom requirement would increase from 1 to 2

CJN4

healy, the sensible advice from welshmoneylover is exactly that. The OP may well not have had his answer as to how many benefits he can get in the shortest possible time but he has received some good advice - the whole ethos of these forums.

alwaysonthego_2

CJN4 wrote: »

healy, the sensible advice from welshmoneylover is exactly that. The OP may well not have had his answer as to how many benefits he can get in the shortest possible time but he has received some good advice - the whole ethos of these forums.

healy is correct, this board is not for judgement or discussions on policies, please take this to DT as it goes against hte ethos of this board.

This board is here for help and support for those on or looking to claim benefits, not for judgement.

Of course we all know the benefits system is a mess

Whatever you're political persuasion, we're all aware the benefits system is a mess. Whether its the malpayments of tax credits on one hand, benefit fraud on the other hand, or simply the fact that sometimes it doesn't pay to work - everyone has their grumble.

This board is here to help people with their money though..

Yet that isn't what this board is for. It's here to help people find out what they are entitled to under the current system, and to help them get it. Benefits do provide a lifeline for many, and this site is here to help people with their money, and not to judge. Of course, how to illegally defraud the benefits system shouldn't be discussed here, but ensuring you're getting your entitlement is exactly what its about.

Want to discuss the benefits system? Go to the discussion board

If you want to discuss the benefits system itself and issues around it, the appropriate place isn't here but the Discussion Board and even there, please remember courtesy and not to make it personal about anyone. This site's prime purpose it to help people with their money and I will always act to protect that.

Thanks for your co-operation

Martin

healy

CJN4 wrote: »

healy, the sensible advice from welshmoneylover is exactly that. The OP may well not have had his answer as to how many benefits he can get in the shortest possible time but he has received some good advice - the whole ethos of these forums.

It is not good advice as it is not answering the question and we know very little about the OP and if they are able to work or not. The OP has not asked about how many benefits they can claim in the shortest time but about how quickly a change of circumstances will be dealt with.

You need to read the sticky on here that explains that this forum is not to judge but answer the questions. Your contributions so far go against the ethos of this forum.

CJN4

Im not sure how suggesting that employment may be a better option than benefits (which afterall the OP may well be considering) is not good advice - of course it is.

welshmoneylover obviously thought that this may be helpful - perhaps it isnt helpful but it remains good advice

CJN4

FAO - alwaysonthego - I wont post again so no need to close the thread.

I just felt that it was sensible advice although unable to answer the original question

tory2010

As David Cameron said a couple of days ago, people should think about what they can contribute rather than what they are entitled to.

Rather than putting all this effort into wondering what you are entitled to, the best piece of advice I would give you is to go to the job centre and see what they have for you. They are rather helpful you know, and may have you contributing to the nation sooner rather than later.