If the PM DID means test child benefit could you manage without it?

galvanizersbaby

ceridwen wrote: »

Hes making the point that no-one HAS to claim a benefit just because its there and they COULD claim it if they chose to......<puzzled smilie as to why anyone wouldnt understand that point......>

Actually it's perfectly possible that he couldn't claim it because as another poster mentioned the child appears to mainly reside with the grandparents.
He says that he doesn't claim it but doesn't confirm or deny that CB is being claimed for the child by somebody (mother?)
So perhaps it's you that didn't understand

Rainey_LB

In the last 18 months or so I have come to really rely on CB and it would be a real struggle if I lost it. Both me & my partner work but our situation changed during the recession. Am praying its not taken away.

Spendless

[QUOTE=ceridwen;35900629]...errr...because most people without children never get anything back.....

and if anyone from the Government reads this "Many of us without children don't agree with people having child benefit of any description for ANY children - not just those having more than 2". Our voices dont get heard so much - so it needs to be said now.[/QUOTE]Not quite. People who were married even without children before the married man's allowance was stopped could claim this. GP visits, hospital treatment available to people with or without children. Dental care if you still have an nhs dentist. For people who live alone 25% off council tax.

Working tax credit is available to those over 25 working at least 30 hours per week if they are on a low income - don't need to have kids to claim.
housing benefit and council tax benefit if income is low available. Grants available from time to time -eg I had cavity wall insulation cheaper- no requirement for me to have kids to qualify. Ditto a cheap college course I did, there were people on it who paid same as me who didn't have children (the funding was for our area).

Indie_Kid

LilacPixie wrote: »

I still think means testing will cost far too much to impliment and just won't happen.

But would it? It should be that if you get more than the basic CTC, you get CB too. So both get administered at the same time.

CB is something I don't understand the point of - parents these days already get plenty of money for their child - why do they need more?

...errr...because most people without children never get anything back.....

Exactly! Why should someone with a child get money back just because they've got children?

I don't think anyone has another child for the £13.40PW child benefit. They cost a whole lot more than that.

But if your income is low enough, you'd get a lot more than £13.40 per week.

*Louise*

sh1305 wrote: »

But if your income is low enough, you'd get a lot more than £13.40 per week.

Not for child benefit - it's a fixed amount for subsequent children whatever your income

angelicmary85

I haven't read all the replies so apologies if this has already been asked but for those who could manage without it...

Why did you apply for it in the 1st place?

If you don't need it, why don't you phone and get the payments stopped?

Alias_Omega

Ive commented further back in the thread.

We claim Child Benefit & Child Tax Credits because we can. Its there to be claimed and we may well claim it. Its an extra £2-3000 a year in the bank saved for the childrens future.

Though, I would happily scrap the whole "Child Benefit / Tax Credit System" for a reduction in PAYE tax paid.

galvanizersbaby

angelicmary85 wrote: »

I haven't read all the replies so apologies if this has already been asked but for those who could manage without it...

Why did you apply for it in the 1st place? - I was given the form to claim it and was eligible like every other mother in the country so I did

If you don't need it, why don't you phone and get the payments stopped?

- because all the time I am eligible for it I want to claim it to put away for my children's future.

I might point out that since I had my children I have divorced their father for adultery (when they were very young) and work full time to support us (I have always worked full time from the age of 18 - am 38 now) I am not on a particularly high income so would be likely to qualify for CB if it was means tested.
All the time I can manage to save it I will.

Indie_Kid

*Louise* wrote: »

Not for child benefit - it's a fixed amount for subsequent children whatever your income

:huh: You'd get CTC on top.

galvanizersbaby

sh1305 wrote: »

:huh: You'd get CTC on top.

Anyone that is responsible for a child can claim child benefit regardless of income which is a fixed amount per week and goes up with the amount of children you have

I'm pretty sure that not everyone is entitled to Child Tax credit?!