A little help needed a situation nobody i know has been in.

debtmess

Morning all, please be gentle its been a roller coaster week here.

Before i plunge into the mucky stuff here was my nice calm situation Sunday morning.
3 children, 1 who I get higher rate dla for, along with Tax credits, child benefit IS hb and ctc. The normal out of work benefits

I currently don't work due to youngest son (who has Autism) and I am at college with a placement so my plan was to be able to work or be looking for work in September (level 3 teaching assistant course)

And here is where it gets difficult.
17 year old sister (full time education a levels) has moved in, Mum doesn't want her back and sister doesn't wish to go back.(I have all her stuff which was collected last night from her family home) She is at school out of council/borough. I live in London borough she school's in Kent. Leaving or moving school is not an option untill july when I will encourage her to try the local college (there will be more than enough course,s for her and she would hopefully be able to continue the other year of a levels).

I, her mum, her school are at a loss as to if I can claim anything for her (she is not my child just my sister) getting her to school is £50 a week train and bus (walking/bike again not an option, school is a 25 min train ride away). I am not sure if i can add her to my HB (i pay 350 a month towards my own rent due to high prices etc). I simply don't have a clue, i've looked at where i can cut back in order to get her to school, feed everyone etc so short term will will manage.

Any constructive ideas? its been a hell of a week and today the whole situation has hit me.

MrsManda

Presumably at the moment your mum is claiming Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits for your sister?
She needs to inform the HMRC/Child Benefit office that your sister is no longer living with her. In the meantime I'd expect her to be giving you everything she receives from CTC and Child Benefit.

If it's going to be a permanent arrangement you need to inform your council and the DWP of your change in circumstances. They'll be able to help you find out what paperwork you need to fill out and whether you are entitled to claim anything extra.

shop-to-drop

Getting her back home with mum seems the obvious solution. Is there a legitimate reason why she can't go back to mum?

debtmess

Mum wont have her back at all, she has simply had enough of little sisters behaviour (little sister said some awful things as she was leaving) I did suggest she stay with me for a week to give everyone time to settle and the situation to diffuse, well I collected all her clothing shoes and that yesterday, Mum has informed school that sister wont be living with them anymore, her going home is simply not an option

Thank you MrsManda, i cannot see Mum giving up anything she gets to me (it simply wont happen, there is nothing spare for her to give me) and when we have spoke about it Mum knows she can keep child benefit for something like 8 weeks

shop-to-drop

If I were in your situation I would contact child benefits and make a claim to get the ball rolling and go queue up at Citizens advice for help. They will direct you to the professional help you need to proceed.

MrsManda

debtmess wrote: »

Thank you MrsManda, i cannot see Mum giving up anything she gets to me (it simply wont happen, there is nothing spare for her to give me) and when we have spoke about it Mum knows she can keep child benefit for something like 8 weeks

Personally I think this is ridiculous. Your mum is expecting you to manage on benefits with your own 3 children plus HER child yet isn't willing to help by giving you the benefits she receives for looking after HER child which she is no longer doing. Your mum knows perfectly well what benefits you can claim for your sister, it's CB and CTC but as she won't give them up you cannot have that help.

If she has nothing to spare in her budget when receiving CB and CTC then she needs to reassess her outgoings because after 8 weeks she's no longer going to have this money. Even if they patch up their differences and your sister moves back if your sister leaves school/reaches 18 she won't have it.

If it's likely that your sister is going to live with you permanently and your mum is not willing to contribute you could put in your own claim for CB for your sister though for the sake of family unity it's worth trying to get an agreement with your mum first.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ChildBenefitandChildTrustFund/Childbenefits/Gettingstarted/ClaimingChildBenefit/DG_173610

debtmess

can I claim cb for a child that is not mine? I need to order a birth certificate online for her (im not allowed her original one) as without that im not going to get anywhere.

flutterby_lil

Mum will HAVE to give it up, no ifs or buts about it. She is not entitled to it if your sister is not living with her.

If mum could not cope with her then how will you do it being a single parent with 3 boys? She is more than likely going to act the same.

Good luck.

shop-to-drop

Why don't you give tax credits a call now and discuss this with them? Also just checking do school have her current address as living with you?

RAS

debtmess wrote: »

can I claim cb for a child that is not mine? I need to order a birth certificate online for her (im not allowed her original one) as without that im not going to get anywhere.

Yes

You can claim CB for any child who is living with you. Once you do that add her to your CTC claim.

You do not need to order the BC on-line unless you have to; it is much cheaper to go to the Registry Office where the birth was registered and get a duplicate. Cost £7-9 depending whether they count it a an archive service.

Ring the likely office, confirm that they have the register there and see if little sister can go and collect it?

Oh and once you have the CB, claim CSA off mum (just to wind her up).

debtmess

Thank you will start making phone calls and seeing whats what. I am in contact with Mum so have spoke today about this, going to give it a couple of weeks now just for everything to settle (and in hope she returns home) before we act on it, Knowing know from the help here its not as stressfull as i was feeling this morning.

Thank you for the contributions here xx