First time parents, living together/benefits

Lettuce91

I am having my first child in march next year. I'm 22 and a student and my boyfriend is nearly 30 and works full time. I live with my parents at the moment and my boyfriend has a mortgage which is £590 pm over 10 years.
Obviously when the baby is born the plan is for me to move into his flat with him, being a student does anyone know how this would work for us in regards to council tax and what benefits either of us would be eligible for? I'm really starting to worry about money etc.

cattie

How much does your boyfriend earn? And as a student, do you have any income, such as grants etc? These are questions people will need to know before they can give you any idea of what you might or might not qualify for.

Jobseeeker

it might be helpful to say what your partner's salary is and whether you will continue to be a full time student once baby is born

assuming joint income is less than £50k you will get child benefit

Lettuce91

He makes about £1250 per month and I get £375 student loans and about an extra £300 from my part time job plus tips.
I would love to continue studying as soon as possible after the baby is born but would just need to wait and see how things work out.

RAS

AS a student you do not pay Council Tax. You need an exemption letter from the University to send to the Council.

March means you are towards the end of teaching and assessment and exams will be very shortly after the baby is born. Have you talked to them about what this means in practical terms?


www.turn2us.org.uk is a help but be aware that it is not completely accurate when one of the housweholders is a student.

I think that aiming to do exams and work and have a new baby might be a challenge. Aim to do two not three.

Lettuce91

I'm not on the mortgage though does that make a difference? I will just be moving in there but mortgage will still be in his name. Does anyone know is there like something I have to do to say that I live there as dont want to get in trouble with any authorities!

Jobseeeker

no you won't get in trouble, its his house he can do what he wants with it

only people you have to inform are council tax

Lettuce91

Thank you

pmlindyloo

As well as your partner claiming single person's discount on the council tax (you will need to get an exemption certificate from your university/college) you need to speak to your college/uni welfare department as there may be grants that you are entitled to when your baby is born and you move in with your partner.