Child Tax Credits

amcbrombie

Hi,

I am currently unemployed and receiving Income Support. I look after my toddler, who has just turned three years old, most of the week, with my former partner taking the little one at weekends. My former partner now wants equal access, even though she works, and I am wondering how this will affect the child tax credits I receive. Will I be entitled to these? If not, is there anything else I would be entitled to (if my former partner is granted equal access, would I be able to claim any sort of maintenance payments, for example). I am worried that losing child tax credits will have an outcome on access rights.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Worried and confused.

Caz3121

benefits do not really work for 50/50 care, one person would be the main carer
If you then you have IS (as a single parent with child under 5), child benefit, tax credits, child maintenance, housing benefit based on 2-bedroom rate
If your ex is the main carer then she would receive the child based benefits and you would no longer receive IS as a single parent so would need to claim JSA (or ESA if unable to work due health) no tax credits, no maintenance and housing benefit would be based on one-bedroom rate if you are over 35 or shared accom rate if under
(this assumes you are not claiming IS due to disability)

amcbrombie

Thanks for the reply and info. I am currently the main carer, but my ex wants equal access. Is this even possible seeing as she works? If so, who will decide who's the main carer in that case?

Thanks.

alwaysskint96

whoever claims the child benefit

sheramber

Is the custody under a court order or is it just an agreement between you?

amcbrombie

I claim the child benefit.

The arrangement is between us but the courts will be getting involved as she now wants to change the arrangement and I don't agree.

Thanks.

amcbrombie

What if we came to an arrangement for equal access (in terms of staying over) and I still claim the child benefit, will I still be entitled to the child benefit and child tax credits?

Apologies if I appear to be asking the same questions. Just confused (and worried).

Poppie68

If you claim the child benefit you are entitled to the tax credits. Has she been paying child support?
How many days does she want the little one?

amcbrombie

She pays the TV/phone bill as a form of maintenance. She wants the little one four days one week then three the next. With her working, her parents would have to look after the little one until she comes back from work some days. They are in their mid-60s.

Poppie68

As the child is resident at your address and the time spent with mum will be seen as visitation and depending on her income she would still be liable to pay child support even if she has the little 4 nights.
If she does get the access you could stop the payments she makes and you keep the child benefit and tax credits, or keep the arrangement as it is because there is nothing in the law that says you need to split the child benefits or tax credits and she has an income coming in anyway.

amcbrombie

Thanks for those links. Much appreciated.