Do I HAVE to claim IS??

skylight

It appears I am about to become a single Mum. So being practical I need to get my house in order.

I have 4 kids 4months, 3, 5 and 13. OH has agreed to pay me money (which is nice...) and the CSA website has put this amount at £68 per week.

According to entitledto.co.uk I am not entitled to Income Support because of the amount of maintainence he will be paying. Thats fair enough.

Entitledto.co.uk have also worked out the tax credits I will get and the amount of housing and council tax benefit I am entitled to. Its more than expected but still will have to have lots of belt tightening. Again, thats fair enough. As long as we have a roof, food and basics I am happy enough.

But, a few friends are adamant that I have to apply for IS anyway. Is there any real benefit to doing this? Would I get anything extra even though my payments would be zero???

Rikki

You apply for income support. It doesn't matter that it will be wipped out by maintainence payments.

By claiming IS it means you are entitled to free pescriptions and the like.

looby75

My ex pays a similar amount to what your OH has agreed to. I claim IS and he pays his payments directly to the csa who in turn pay it to the DWP (i think)

I get £59 per week IS, then CTC for my 2 kids. I also get £10 a week from the CSA. I did have the option of ex paying me directly and not claiming IS, which is what it sounds like you are considering doing but I decided against that because if ex suddenly decided not to pay me for some reason I would be left high and dry with a big cut in our household income.

If you claim IS you get free prescriptions, school meals, if your local council does them school uniform grants, and access to the lone parent advisor, although with having such a young family that might not be an issue for your for a few years to come. Personally I WOULD claim IS, just as a safety net if nothing else.

Oh and ((((((hugs)))))) There is so much to think about at a time like this but make sure you take time to look after yourself too.

skylight

Thanks guys!

I think I will put in a claim for IS and let him pay the CSA.

As you put it Looby, I cannot see any reason for OH to not pay me money, but I suppose if he suddenly lost his job or just outright refused for whatever reason, it would leave us high and dry.

And with free school meals, thats worth it in its own right.


Knowing what I can and cannot do is good grounding. Things "may" work out, but I need to have all my bases covered.

looby75

Charlotte, ex and I have been split up for over 3 years now and he has never not paid up, but as you say you never know whats round the next corner and it's good to cover your back. I learnt that the hard way when he up and left us pretty much out of the blue

I hope you and your OH can work things out, good luck.

Valley's_girl

Hi Charlotte
Definitely put a claim in for income support your ex could stop paying leaving you with no money, you will get free prescriptions and the children will get free school meals while on income support.
So sorry about your circumstances.
Take care
Ally xxx

real1314

Rikki wrote: »

You apply for income support. It doesn't matter that it will be wipped out by maintainence payments.

By claiming IS it means you are entitled to free pescriptions and the like.

Just making a claim does not mean you get free precriptions etc. If any possible entitlement to IS is wiped out by maintenance, then all the stuff that goes with IS is NOT automatic.

You need to actually qualify for and receive IS to get the "fringe benefits".

TheWaltons_3

real1314 wrote: »

Just making a claim does not mean you get free precriptions etc. If any possible entitlement to IS is wiped out by maintenance, then all the stuff that goes with IS is NOT automatic.

You need to actually qualify for and receive IS to get the "fringe benefits".

I don't understand how she wouldn't get IS because she is getting maintenance payments... wouldn't the Benefits agency just give her the IS but deduct the Maintenance? Leaving her with a tenner?

Scarlett1

TheWaltons wrote: »

I don't understand how she wouldn't get IS because she is getting maintenance payments... wouldn't the Benefits agency just give her the IS but deduct the Maintenance? Leaving her with a tenner?

im not sure if it works like that, I think you have to be claiming IS first, then receive maintenance and get to keep the £10, I think the £10 is a bonus for lone parents on IS to keep part of any maintenace collect.

real1314

erm, she says she's getting £68 maintenance. Where's this £10 come from?

TheWaltons_3

real1314 wrote: »

erm, she says she's getting £68 maintenance. Where's this £10 come from?

If you are on IS... the Benefits Agency would not let the lone parent on IS receive hundreds in Maintenance each month.. and so what they do when you claim IS is make you go through the CSA, who claim the maintenance for you and give you the £10 each week - or £5 depending on what the absent parent pays.