help needed please

Gemma_B

Okay - im currently ' single mum of 2' however 3 years ago i met a lovely fella and we got engaged last week and now the 'move in' talk is happening - its took so long as i didnt want children get attatched etc and then things end badly.

anyway i dont work and claim benefits .. and my partner works full time and £20k a year (before tax) however hes typical man and as the finance car along with few debts hes paying off so not really well off.

im just wondering if anyone knows what i'll 'lose' and what we could 'gain'

i've looked on few sites but because we not yet living together i cant work it out properly!

thankyou

gravitytolls

Go to the entitledto website and put in the figures, it'll tell you exactly whhat you'll get.

dane-katie

Have you tried entitledto? i dont know much about benefits but it helped me figure things out

DX2

You will lose your IS but gain working tax credits. Housing benefit and council tax benefit may also be affected.

Gemma_B

thankyou
i tried that site says not entitled t working tax - and only entitled to £53 a week working tax (i get £93) now
seems a lot to lose hope its wrong..

does anyone know what they class as low income as might be because hes on £20k a year

4boys4years

You will lose income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, child tax credits at the higher rate, healthy start vouchers (if your children are young enough to qualify), free school meals if it applies, and free nursery for 2 yr olds if that applies. You should receive a small amount of working tax credits.

Gemma_B

thankyou - i entered same thing into that site and 1 time said what i said above and 2nd time said was entitled to small part of rent/ct payed and £85 a week tax credit so im more confused now than ever lol.

wanted get it all sorted by xmas so can all wake up together last few years i always gone to my mums lol .... arghh wish i had brains with math

kingfisherblue

As he earns over approx £17,000, you won't get working tax credits.

Gemma_B

brillaint thankyou letting me know

its strange because his parents and brother get wtc!!
when they told me thought was a little strange as they said they get £84 a week - which woukd in theory pay the rent!

the bad thing is i'd like to go back to work (children are 3/4) but cant afford to as we been told if he moves in with me i'd have to pay full child care.

drives me nuts no wonder not many parents choosing to work.
thing is i went to college for 3 years to do hairdressing ... feel like time wasted

Caz3121

Gemma_B wrote: »

the bad thing is i'd like to go back to work (children are 3/4) but cant afford to as we been told if he moves in with me i'd have to pay full child care.

the entitlement tables are here
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/index.htm

and if you compare working and no childcare (which it would be if only he works) to working with childcare (if you go back 16 hours+) there is a considerable difference so you do get help with childcare

eg income £20k (last year) 2 kids no childcare - £4,460 tax credits
income £20k (last year) 2 kids £150 per week childcare costs - £10,700

so you would get £120 per week towards childcare so would be better off by wages less £30

popadom

I know this will sound harsh-but if youre really worried, id rethink the move. The goverment will expect him to pay towards the house,food,ect . i think when your married it would be worse, as now you are (excuse the terrible example) miss single, you with then be mrs (whatever his name is) married. so your income will be joint. currently you are the main provider..when you marry, he will be.

Its a shame, as i can understand you waiting, not wanting the kids to get attached incase something happens. I do hear the goverment is looking to give couples £38 extra as currently they are up to £5000 worse off.

Good luck.