child tax credits - part time kids?

bernardh_2

My twin daughters live with their mother and younger sister.Mother gets CTC.All 3 girls go to the school 100 yards from where I live,but have to travel by bus from their village.If one or more of them prefer to stay at my place during the week,would I be able to claim any CTC? I am on a low wage(sub10k) and get WTC if that is a factor.

Fran

bernard,

It's definitely worth putting in a claim (you have nothing to lose even if you get nothing), especially if they spend time with you.

filigree_2

CTC is paid to the parent who receives Child Benefit, ie your ex. It isn't possible to claim twice for the same child.

Under the new CSA rules, you can reduce your payments if your kids spend time overnight with you. If your kids are spending an increasing amount of time with you, you might have grounds to decrease any child support you are paying.

I have heard of a split family where Dad gets child benefit for one child, Mum gets child benefit for the other. That way, both parents have the opportunity to claim a certain amount of CTC, instead of one parent getting it all.

It's a complicated matter and depends on whether your ex is amicable, and happy to juggle the finances to help you out. Get proper advice before you make any major changes.

Fran

CTC is paid to the parent who receives Child Benefit, ie your ex. It isn't possible to claim twice for the same child.

Child Tax Credit can be paid to a parent who is not receiving Child Benefit. The rules are different for CTC than Income Support. I don't know whether two people can claim for the same child though. You have nothing to lose by applying.

filigree_2

You have nothing to lose by applying.

Do make it clear if applying that you know your ex already gets CTC. You don't want to get accused of fraud! Try phoning the helpline on 0845 300 3900.

babysaver

My kids live with me "part-time" as well - their dad gets child benefit for one and I get child benefit for one. I get CTC for both kids though and I declared everything honestly when I filled the forms in. I did get a letter from CTC a few months ago asking why the kids were in 2 claims (I assume their father is claiming CTC as well) and again replied honestly - never heard any more....