Help for Easter holidays

Dave_Ross

I'm looking for some help and advice.

My children live with their mother and they stay with me every second weekend, they will be staying with me over the Easter holidays and also 2 weeks during summer. I'm only working part time at the moment and bring home less than £100 per week, my partner is disabled and lives off incapacity benefit, we receive housing benefit but have to pay £25 per week to meet the full payment.

My question is this, I've been in touch with HMRC who have said that i can't claim for child tax credits because the children live with their mother and she won't agree to me having a percentage for the time they are here during holidays. I have also been in touch with the jobcenter to see if they can help but because i get paid for holidays they can't help either.

I'm really going to struggle while the children are staying here and wonder if anyone has any advice on where I could get financial help from for these weeks.

Thanks
Dave

clearingout

There is no state support for this kind of scenario. Unfortunately, mum still has bills to pay even if the children are with you and as such, it is unlikely she would give you a share of the tax credits. Are you paying child maintenance at all? The CSA gives a reduction for the nights you have your children stay over with you, assuming you go through the CSA. If you don't go through the CSA, it is worth checking the calculation using the calculator on their website to make sure you're paying the right amount but that's the only concession you'll get.

Dave_Ross

clearingout wrote: »

There is no state support for this kind of scenario. Unfortunately, mum still has bills to pay even if the children are with you and as such, it is unlikely she would give you a share of the tax credits. Are you paying child maintenance at all? The CSA gives a reduction for the nights you have your children stay over with you, assuming you go through the CSA. If you don't go through the CSA, it is worth checking the calculation using the calculator on their website to make sure you're paying the right amount but that's the only concession you'll get.

I pay through the CSA, i have spoken to them but because the kids don't stay with me for more than 52 nights a year then they can't make any changes to the amount i pay.

flutterby_lil

So how many nights do you have them every other weekend? if it is 2 nights then this is the 52 nights per year, add together the nights you have them during holidays, does this not defo make it over 52 nights?

karenx

Can your partner not look after them? There's no help you can get towards childcare as you don't qualify. Can you take your holidays then?

Dave_Ross

I have the children every second Saturday night, I have tried for more nights but my ex just refuses. So in total it's 26 nights throughout the year plus 7 nights at Easter and 14 nights during the summer holidays which is only 45 nights total.

The problem i have is not taking holidays because i get paid holidays anyway, the problem is looking after 2 children ages 11 and 13 for a week on about £75.

skintandscared_2

I don't know what part of the country you live in, but it is well worth googling local parks or free museums where you might go.

Food-wise, I can only suggest menu-planning the evenings carefully and make cost-efficient choices like a big cottage pie, spag bol, that sort of thing. A large box of cereal and an extra couple of loaves should sort out breakfast and sandwich lunches.

Please don't forget that your children aren't coming over to stay so you can buy them things and take them to fancy places. They are coming to spend time with YOU! You are free Tell them to bring any special books or games they like with them. If they have any board games you can all play together, even better.

There are plenty of tips on feeding a family of 4 for a week for less than £75 on the old style moneysaving section.

Good luck, and enjoy your time with your children.

Dunroamin

Won't your ex give you the money she would pay for food and weekly expenses while the children are with you?

harry7075

If he earns £100 a week he pays probably £25 a week CSA, if that. The OP, in my opinion, should stop whinging.

Whiteknight

Could you not have saved a little every week - its not as if you did not know that they would be coming to stay!

As other posters have mentioned check out free attractions in your local area and take packed lunches with you to keep the costs low. I would look for both indoor and outdoor activities.

lindsaygalaxy

Could you ebay or take on something like a chinese run to help earn some extra money?