New partner - tax credits changes

hairbrain05

I’m sure this has been discussed many many times before but it really gets my goat.. although... maybe i am missing something or don’t understand the formula’s they apply...?

I have a new partner, we are recently married / moved in together. I have a son from previous relationship; unfortunately his father died when he was a baby so I am sole parent (don’t get any other benefits). So we set up home with my new partner.. I am still paying for childcare etc exactly the same as before, but now I am receiving little if no tax credits towards his child care. Do they assume that as someone is sharing the house that I have more money!? We had to get a bigger house to accommodate us, so bigger bills... so I’m now worse off by getting married!?

Is this unfair or have i missed something!?

x

AnxiousMum

You may have a bigger house - but not ALL of your bills are increased by that fact. Yes, you do have more household income - and child tax credits are means tested. I know that where a child from a previous relationship is involved, there is 'normally' child support payments, which of course in your case aren't there. Sorry to hear that your child's father passed away, but there may have also been life insurance etc (or should be.....) to make sure that the child's needs are taken care of until they are independent. Maybe this was not the case, but they are choices that as parents we make - to have or not to have. Your new husband's income will be taken into account for child tax credit purposes. But, where you were paying two sets of rent before, now you only have one, one electric bill, one phone bill etc. etc., I'm sure that when you take both of your living expenses into account as individuals, that overall, you are paying a little less now as a family. Congratulations on your marriage - nice to get a second chance at it!

hairbrain05

many thanks anxiousmum... unfortunately my tale is full of woe.. my previous partner committed suicide & left nothing but debt & therefore no insurance claim.. however that period of my life is over & I firmly believe that we are moving into the phase which will be 'ever happy' despite how much money we have... or don't have...

having done the sums I am definitely worse off.. but onwards & upwards no matter I guess!

x

AnxiousMum

So sorry to hear that hairbrain....(hmmmm, feel like I'm name calling when I say that!)......keep a positive attitude - becoming a new family, it is definitely onwards and upwards - it's amazing what we can do without when we have love in our lives though, and hopefully as time goes on, you will see ALL the benefits of being a family.