I claim CTC/CB for my 17yo. Can she claim for her DD?

snotbothered

**THIS IS AN OLD POST**
*The new but related question starts from post 10*




I am a long-term poster, but this is an AE as I am well aware of the backlash that can be displayed on this board occasionally.

But...


My 17yo is at college full-time and expecting a baby. The father of the baby is refusing to have anything to do with her and the baby. She intends to stay at college next year and complete the course (its not Higher Education)

I am also a single Mum and have started a claim for Income Support and Child Tax credits plus child benefit for my children. I still get CTC and CB for my pregnant daughter.

We can't find any helpful advice about what to do when her baby is born - with differing advice from CTC and the DWP. She will remain living with me for at least the first 2 years the baby is here (to finish her college course and to enable her to save some cash when she gets a proper job in her field during the second year). My own degree will be finished in a years time and I already have a job more or less secured for 11 months time (as secure as it can be in this climate). I don't work now as I am studying and volunteering; I need the experience to get the job; education alone won't help me!

We are aware of the grant to enable her to get help with child care costs when the baby arrives and she will not be claiming IS as she is at college.

What happens with Tax Credits and Child benefit though? Do I lose those for her when she claims for her own child (despite her being a child and at college still)? My youngest child is 2yo. I currently don't get any CSA for my children from their father, as he has just dropped off the face of the planet. Its very confusing benefits wise due to her age! Thankfully the benefits wont be for long but we cannot pop into Connexions either as they don't seem to exist anymore in this town!

Hammyman

I didn't think she could claim CTC until she was 18? You should still get CB and she will get it as well for hers. Connexions are going to be the most help so you're going to have to find a way to get in touch with them.

I'd like to give you a big thumbs up for what you're doing for her. OK, she's f'ked up on an epic scale but at least she's going to continue to do everything she can to ensure she doesn't have a Jeremy Kyle guest lifestyle thanks to you taking on some of the role of parenting.

snotbothered

Hammy. Thanks

A really big one. What you have said is the nicest thing anyone (other than My Dad) has said about it all. Apparently, I should be kicking her out and letting her get on with it; which will solve nothing and will simply start a cycle of council housing and benefits.

She is 17 and does need some serious boots up the backside to get stuff done; but she is getting there and growing up fast with it. Thanks.

And I'll put in more of an effort with connexions and try the CTC people again.

lady1964

snotbothered wrote: »

Hammy. Thanks

A really big one. What you have said is the nicest thing anyone (other than My Dad) has said about it all. Apparently, I should be kicking her out and letting her get on with it; which will solve nothing and will simply start a cycle of council housing and benefits.

She is 17 and does need some serious boots up the backside to get stuff done; but she is getting there and growing up fast with it. Thanks.

And I'll put in more of an effort with connexions and try the CTC people again.

OP, where do you live? Interesting that in a previous post you said: 'but we cannot pop into Connexions either as they don't seem to exist anymore in this town!'
I work for Connexions in Essex and our service will be extinct from 1st August.
I wish I could help with your query but my role with Connexions doesn't involve information re CB etc, you might want to find out if there is a benefits helpline you can call, we helped a parent yesterday who was making enquiries about benefits and his 16 yo step-son, we pointed him in the direction of CAB, Welfare Rights and the Essex benefits helpline.
Hope you get this sorted.

nannytone_2

either she claims IS and ctc for herself and the baby, or you claim for both of them.
you cant claim for her as a child, while she is claiming for her own 'dependant'.

snotbothered

Thanks everyone.

I live in Windsor and there isn't a connexions nearby anymore as the Slough branch closed a short while ago. I will have a look at the local councils web pages and see if there is anything for a helpline.

iamana1ias

Regardless of the father's feelings, she should also lodge a claim with the CSA.

bestpud

As said, either you claim for her, or she claims for her child.

I imagine the best option is for her to claim IS, CTC and CB in her own right. I believe she can claim IS from the 29th(?) week of pregnancy...?

She will learn a lot more from having her own budget. She obviously couldn't claim housing costs, but neither would her benefits affect any HB you claim, as far as I am aware.

If she remains in FE throughout, I imagine you can claim right up to the date she claims herself.

It may be worth asking your lone parent advisor for advice...?

Debicj

Hi, as others have said, the choice is either you claim for your daughter and the baby or your daughter claims independently for herself and baby.

We were in this situation with my husband's daughter and we decided that as she was adult enough to become a mother she should be adult enough to claim for herself and be responsible for her own budget. We took a small amount for food/living costs and she kept the rest to pay for everything else she needed. I think this helped her get used to handling money ready for when she eventually moved into her own place.

snotbothered

Bumping an old post of mine as its all connected to this!

Well - that daughter of mine simply flipped a bit. Well, a lot. She decided children were not for her and once the baby was born 18mnths ago, I've been looking after him and she moved out. The baby is "technically" a looked after child with Social Services and I foster him under a kinship arrangement. My court case is in a few months for a Special Guardianship Order for him and that has been supported by all concerned and I have no qualms about securing that order.

The real mess up is that the silly girl is pregnant again. Yes, she needs a battering and yes, she is in that cycle of benefits. As her Mum, I am not going to just dump her. There is a doubt with social services as to whether or not she can keep this child; she has not showing any maturity since her son was born and still isn't - she just can't care for her son or herself, hence their concerns. I am trying to keep a distance from the baby and her news for this reason, but its really difficult.

Anyway - the point.

She is adamant that she can claim the £500 sure start grant for this new baby. Last time, I claimed it as she was at college and I was still getting the CTC and CB for her. Pure lack of maturity shown here; she is relying on this to be able to buy the baby stuff but has not checked to see if she can get it or put any money by for baby bits if she can not get it. I am not buying anything. I cannot get attached to a baby she may not even be allowed to keep and I cannot take this one on too. It means ultimately that complete failure from her (and shes on track to achieve just that) the baby will be fostered with a view to adopt it out.

As there is no older child in her "household" (she lives alone in a bedsit) can she claim this grant?

affordmylife

bloody kids hey.

what a horrible situation for you.

is there no way you could take this new baby too. it would be your grandchild. horrible horrible situation.

I really feel for you x