Tax credits advice

Susanne1318

Me and my ex broke up when my first son was 4 months old, he moved out and I started claiming tax credits. My second son was conceived whilst we were in the process of breaking up. We decided to keep it as we both couldn't go through with a termination.

As my ex moved back in with parents, I struggled to pay the bills in the flat we lived in on my wages and child maintenance. I decided to move back in with my mum for financial reasons and for the support when my second son was born.

Me and my ex have been very on/off since we broke up last year and he has stayed at my mums the occasional night/weekend mainly to help with our first son and because I was so tired during my pregnancy. I now need to move out of my mums as her situation has changed so me and the boys dad have decided to give our relationship another go. My plan was to move back into the flat i own once the tenants have moved out and see how me and the boys dad get along without him moving in straight away letting him stay the occasional night/weekend.

I phoned tax credits today to see if this was ok and would it affect my credits. I unfortunately spoke to a very unhelpful advisor who told me if you are a couple it doesn't matter wether he lives with me or not if we are a couple then we need to submit a joint claim. I told the advisor that he would still be living at his mums paying his bills there etc and not contributing towards mine but apparently this doesn't matter.

I'm now concerned as when I've phoned tax credits to tell them of change of address and to add my second son to my claim they only asked if I was living with a partner to which I've always replied no as I haven't. Does this mean I've miss informed them as me and the boys dad have been very on/off. I'm sure I've seen another thread that a women told tax credits her and her kids dad lived apart for financial reasons but was told it didn't affect her claim. I only added my second son the other day as he is two weeks old and I'm now worried that this will look suspicious to tax credits that I've had another child yet am not together or live with the child's father.

It seems different advice is given depending on what advised you speak too. Has anyone been in a similar situation or got any advice?

Susanne1318

Thanks for replying. The on/off example states they should make a joint claim when they start living together. Me and my ex have never started living together whilst being on/off as we both live with parents. It's very confusing. If/when I start to live with him again I would tell tax credits straight away but the advisor told me that I should tell them when we become a couple regardless of living situation.

Susanne1318

This is what I thought as well, as I've not had anything other than maintenance from him and we both live with parents I've never phoned tax credits when we have been 'on' do you think it might be worth speaking to tax credits again in the hope I get a more helpful advisor?