'supporting each other through really tough times'

merlot123

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/start/claiming/get-started/how-to-claim.htm

merlot123

GreyQueen

Peanut2013 wrote: »

Here's a silly question, how do you apply for CTC and HB? I agree its worth a go!

Thank you all for your help

No such thing as a silly question.

Until the Universal Credit come in, you apply for Housing benefit and Council Tax Benefit on one form off your local council. If you go on their site you may see either an online application form or a .pdf form to download.

You will need to evidence your income and your savings and that is everything. Child Benefit has to be listed (it proves the child lives with you) but is fully-disregarded in the jargon, meaning that it doesn't affect the entitlement. If you, OH or child have any disability benefits please be sure to list them.

After Oct this year, HB will be subsumed into the Universal Credit, as will be all tax credits. Council Tax Benefit is being rebranded Council Tax Reduction from tomorrow and will continue to be claimed from the local authority as isn't part of UC.

Tax Credits are claimed from HMRC. I don't know if they have an online application form. You can get a lot of information from this webste www.directgov.gov.uk

Any probs, try seeing the CAB. They have specialist software to calculate benefits entitlement.

HB/CTR is calcuated from the Monday after they recieve your claim so if you're gonna try it, go for it without delay. HTH.

merlot123

I can't remember if you have looked at https://www.turn2us.org, a calculator which lets you know if and what benefits you are entitled too.

merlot123

mcculloch29

Link to tax credit calculator.

mcculloch29

Ooops, sorry Merlot, cross-post, I didn't refresh the page. My link is to the Gov't site.

[Deleted User]

Evening all, we have had a nice quiet day, a nice lurcher walk, and I took my hat and gloves off half way round, it must be warmer today, and He Who Knows and DD1 have gone for a pint as they spent all afternoon rearranging the log pile in the garden. I am currently roasting the last joint of the Gloucester Old Spot Pork we got last year and the kitchen smells wonderful, we shall have it for supper with all the trimmings and some apple puree from the freezer made last summer from our own tree. DD1 was very kind and didn't buy me chocolate (sorry, not very fond of it!) but a tube of Rose Scented Hand Cream instead which is very lovely indeed!!! We are going to unload and defrost the big chest freezer tomorrow of the weather stays as cold as it has been, there are things lurking at the bottom that need using up and I'll inventory all the contents and use as much as I can in case we do get power problems in the coming year.
I hope you all had a nice Easter Sunday and KIDCAT I hope you are OK after the enforced visit to your parents this afternoon, chin up chicken thinking of you, Cheers Lyn xxx.

JellyBox

People have had a busy few days by the looks of it, lots of stuff going on for people, I can't reply to everything, because I can't remember all I've read (really need to get a notepad an jot down thoughts as I go!). A couple stuck out a bit more, kidcat, seems very unfair that so much stuff keeps going wrong, I hope your week has improved, although with having to go round to the parents, I suspect this might be unlikely . peanut, I really hope you can find a way to make your money cover everything you need, it looks like you've had loads of brilliant suggestions, stolen some of the ideas for my own situation! I've also been absolutely shamefaced on the comments on CT. I was 7 months in arrears for the second time earlier this year, because I never got around to sorting the DD. I have finally got this settled, which left me with very high DDs for each month, but I now see quite how lucky I was to be allowed to do this at all, seems the council would have been within their rights to tell me I needed to pay up in full. Whoops

I've had a lovely time with friends, seriously considering a move to the Midlands within the next few years. I have thought about it before, but hadn't fully comprehended quite how much more home you could get for your money. My second visit of the week was to a posh bit of Cheshire, it turned out the rental costs there (in beautiful flats) are the same as our grubby bit of the south west. How can it be SO expensive to live somewhere with such poor public transport and not near anything brilliant. We're not even on a proper commuter line to London!

Quite a lot of planning coming up for me. Having a proper think about my career too, and what would be most important. I'm now 25 (just) and have already been broody as for about 10 years (I knew I couldn't care for a child at 15, but it didn't stop the longing to be pregnant!) but also know that where I'm living is not where I want to stay, and my job is just that, no prospects. Basically, I need money to move, and money to have a baby (ideally), but both will take time, and I want it all now. My current job would mean I couldn't work if I was pregnant too, which is another massive stumbling block, else I'd just let the baby bit take precedence and deal with the rest as it came!

Apologies for that ramble. I've not actually tried verbalising the thoughts going round my head before, so it's probably very disjointed. Just interested to know how other people deal with this sort of thing. I know the time is never right for everything, but just a bit stumped!

kidcat

Bexim - there is never a right time for most things, and sometimes its better just to get on and do it, finding a way through. Of course if you can plan at all then all the better. Starting with your career and work is a good point. I hope you can find the answers you need.

After a lovely morning and afternoon we had the dreaded visit and I have to say it was truly awful, my asthma played up with the smoke and it was incredibly uncomfortable, OH made a throw away comment that will be used by them against me and DD18 sat and told them everything that was going on in her life - again this will be used against me too.

I have come home so upset and defeated, I have just wept. I have seen them play this game too many times to not know how it will play out, they will use everything said and build it into a major PR campaign to decimate me with anyone they can get to.

I am so grateful that on the whole I no longer mix in their circles after learning that lesson last time, this time my reputation will be destroyed yet again, but at least its not with anyone I care for.

Its had the odd effect that OH has really taken off when we came home and decided he will block me from them for now - which at least proves he must still care a little

Am so sorry for the moan and rant but I think I needed to get it out before picking myself up and moving on.

stiltwalker

Oh Kidcat - one of these days I'm going to have to come and meet you somewhere to give you a proper hug rather than just the virtual one I'm sending here. Have a moan and a rant and a quiet little cry if you really feel the need but pick yourself up lass, because you know you are better than that and we sure as h*ll know you are better than that and anyone in RL that is worth anything will damn well know you are better than that! I'm sorry (well actually I'm not!!) but certain members of your family have just moved themselves right to the top of my "boy, do they need a slap" list!

You deal with more in one day than most of them do in a year and (if you do it in RL as well as you do on here) you do it with grace and good humour far more often than is considered humanly possible. Hold your head high and let the b*ggers go stew - preferably in a nice moneysaving casserole bulked out with oats and lentils!

XXX

Peanut2013

Keeping on a positive note! Mean mummy time

He's going to hate me when he grows up!



Apologies for size!