My partners moved in, they stopped my tax credits, help!!!

Sharon27 · 13 October 2011 at 9:14PM

Hi, I am a full time mum to my 5 children, my partner has just moved in and my income support and other benefits have ended, I also received £256 pw in child tax credit but when I phoned inland revenue to report my change of circumstances they ended my current tax credit claim and said it will take approx 5 weeks to process my new claim in the meantime my payments will stop. So all I get is my child benefit, my partner works full time but is on a low wage so earns barely enough to cover bills, never mind food and living expenses. Is it right that my tax credits should stop like this? Any help would be appreciated, thanks x

karenx · 13 October 2011 at 10:53PM

Yes as your no longer single so the single claim got stopped and you need to apply as a couple.

AimeesMum_2 · 14 October 2011 at 6:40AM

I'm afraid that yes, this is what happens. It's a shocking system and someone should really have a think about how it affects people's lifes. More from the other side of being in a couple to becoming a single parent and having to reclaim.

Dave101t · 14 October 2011 at 6:42AM

a partner working full time moves in,and people still want all these benfits...
ive never had a penny...wheres my free cash?

SaLoGo · 14 October 2011 at 7:47AM

Depending on your partners income you may still get some CTC's and they will backdate the claim. Best thing you can do is cut back as much as possible, make do without anything that's remotely luxurious and make sure you send the claim forms back as soon as you get them. Yes it sucks, but that's just the way it is!

missmontana · 14 October 2011 at 8:41AM

Don't you receive any maintenance form the childrens father/s?

gingergee · 14 October 2011 at 2:11PM

This happened to me (similarish anyways). I had to change my WTC claim from single to joint, took them FOURTEEN weeks!!!!! luckily we had some money for a rainy day and then sold whatever we could to manage. Old life jackets, rubber dingy, kids prams etc. And we cut back. I hounded them because someone at the JC+ told me everytime i rang, my case got bumped to the top (who knows if that is true or not lol?) then one day i burst into tears and they said it would be sorted ASAP. 24 hrs later they rang with payment amount and dates. Was a relief but did me some good cos now i am better with money and always keep some by "just in case". Ring them over and over, may help, may not. Also sell uneeded stuff, Good luck though xx

FBaby · 14 October 2011 at 5:58PM

Surely this is something that should have been considered before moving in together. You and your partner should have been saving or borrowed money to take you up to the time all the money (retrospectively) is paid, allowing to repay your loan, or give you back some of your savings.