Single parent benefit, can this be right?

nannytone_2

yes because it would be 'child maintenance' and that isnt included as 'income' with regards to income support and tax credits.

lovetowinacar

felicity1 wrote: »

My brother pays EVERY outgoing, nothing has changed in their financial situation, only their living arrangments. Yes, split is recent.

If I understand correctly, then that means anyone who declares a split in partnership/marriage can claim? So, for arguments sake, a married couple split up, the husband earns £80,000 but leaves the marital home. Are you saying that the wife would be able to claim benefits, even though her husband is well paid?

He sounds like my brother - he still pays all the bills and she sits on her botty on IS and doesn't have to declare her maintenance - men are treated badly when children involved (financially) and she is out each weekend while he babysits - hope he meets someone nicer next time

lovetowinacar

Caz3121 wrote: »

Unfortunately that is correct and the maintenance received has no effect on benefits - could be in a rented property getting full rent and council tax paid, all the tax credits, income support and a whack of maintenance on top. We then see loads of threads on here of single parents that have a huge financial drop when they live with a new partner or 'forget' to disclose they have a partner and end up committing benefit fraud

Yes its a crazy situation that ex husband maintenance contributions are not counted - hence my ex sister in law living the high life spending his money and getting benefits (which she wouldn't qualify for if they knew how much he was paying for) while he is struggling and doing everything she asks because the children are used as a threat if he doesn't - one day the children will grow up and see her for what she is (hopefully and be throughtly ashamed of their mother) hopefully what goes around comes around

I agree no wonder country is in a mess

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

mitchaa wrote: »

Felicity, has your brother actually split from his wife?

If he has, then how is he affording to run 2 homes on 1 salary?

Tax credits may ask for his new address details, his bank details, any finance taken out in the house post split, electoral roll, his post, i.e bank statements, his driving license etc etc.

If there is still a link to the address then they can certainly be prosecuted for benefit fraud. There will be couples all up and down the country pretending to be single to reap these extras financial benefits.

If they have truly split up and he is truly living elsewhere (which can be proven) then they have nothing to worry about. He should think about paying a set child maintenance figure and refusing to pay EVERYTHING else.

I was actually thinking the same thing.

If he is still financially contributing to the house by buying food etc then she is not classed as a single parent by the DWP & could get done for fraud.

He is perfectly entitled to pay maintenance for the children but she will now be getting tax credits to feed & clothe the children so won't need his money for everything.

lovetowinacar

Breast_Cancer_Survivor wrote: »

I was actually thinking the same thing.

If he is still financially contributing to the house by buying food etc then she is not classed as a single parent by the DWP & could get done for fraud.

He is perfectly entitled to pay maintenance for the children but she will now be getting tax credits to feed & clothe the children so won't need his money for everything.

If living apart then they are classed as a single parent - the fact that the father pays for everything is irrelevant since he has a separate home and they are separated - therefore no fraud but totally immoral of the single mum and very greedy too

Its about time benefit payments were calculated AFTER income from the ex partner is taken into consideration - no wonder some single mothers give the words single mum a bad name - some are very very greedy see their children as a meal ticket and quite happy to sit back and take take take

von

From April 2010 the Social Security Regulations were amended so that all child maintenance is fully disregarded when calculating entitlement to Income Support.
I know of someone who is claiming Income Support and her ex-husband is paying her £1,800.00 per month under the guise of child maintenance, this means it doesn't affect her entitlement to Income Support. She gets the full rate of IS at £65ish per week, child tax credits, plus her rent and council tax paid for her, free school meals and prescriptions, help with dental and optical treatment etc etc. If Mr Cameron wants to know how this country can save money he should have a look at the child maintenance disregard.

Killmark

lovetowinacar wrote: »

If living apart then they are classed as a single parent - the fact that the father pays for everything is irrelevant since he has a separate home and they are separated - therefore no fraud but totally immoral of the single mum and very greedy too

It could be seen as living apart from a partner for benefit purposes however and thus could be seen as fraud.

AnxiousMum

Do they still spend time together doing family things?

Breast_Cancer_Survivor

lovetowinacar wrote: »

If living apart then they are classed as a single parent - the fact that the father pays for everything is irrelevant since he has a separate home and they are separated - therefore no fraud but totally immoral of the single mum and very greedy too

Its about time benefit payments were calculated AFTER income from the ex partner is taken into consideration - no wonder some single mothers give the words single mum a bad name - some are very very greedy see their children as a meal ticket and quite happy to sit back and take take take

Just because you don't live with someone doesn't mean you are not a couple in the eyes of the DWP.

If they spend time together as a family, eat together go shopping together or have a financial connection they can be deemed to be a couple regardless of whether you are married/have kids together.

felicity1

Ok, am slightly confused here - a post above seems to be saying that the money he contributes is taken into consideration? Yet, another poster has said that the system allows even a millionaire's wife to claim benefits, should he leave the home?

In answer to some of your questions, yes, he cannot afford to run two homes. He stays with a friend, think his friend is trying to help and prob not charging rent or v little. This allows him to provide - in full- for his wife and children.

And yes, they still go on holiday together. Apparently, for the childrens sake.

I agree with the post above, seems too easy to claim, surely families up and down the country would be doing this? Or maybe they are!