Couple or single?

Averyj06

Me and my baby father are together however we don't live together... We both live with our parents. He stays 2 nights a week. He doesn't pay any bills for my house load at all. No post comes to mine or does he have clothes or personal items at mine. I'm wondering if I should claim as singe parent or couple with working tax and child crazy credit?

Darksparkle

If not married then you wouldn't claim together unless "living together as a married couple".

https://www.gov.uk/claim-tax-credits/joint-claims

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tax-credits-technical-manual/tctm09330

Detroit

It's sounds from what you've said, that you would not be classed as a couple for benefit purposes.
However, the sensible thing would be be open about your circumstances with the benefit agencies, explaining the circumstances as you have on here, so there can be no suggestion at any point that you've withheld information.
If your child's father stays over twice a week, it only takes someone reporting you to be a couple to cause a lot of problems, such as interviews under caution and benefit suspension while it's investigated.
Better to explain your situation honestly from the start.
As stated, you should be considered single, but best to be on the safe side.

Bananas123

Averyj06 wrote: »

we don't live together... We both live with our parents.

you are only classed as a "couple" if you are living together >

from here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/515206/uc-couples-q-and-a.pdf

Q. What is the definition of a couple?
DWP counts two people as being in a couple if they live in the same household and:
•
are married to each other
•
are civ
il partners of each other, or
•
are living together as if they were married

i think this is because couples have to make a "joint claim" as income is shared etc, so they can work out what your "household" (as a couple) is entitled to.

so really really rich people don't get benefits etc...

you could always enclose a letter with your claim etc, outlining your situation, but i don't think it is neccesary, as above.

regards

konark

Where can I claim child crazy credit?

System

You mention him staying over 2 nights

There is a myth thats been around for ages that if they only stay 2 nights it doesn't count, this isn't true. They look at you as a whole asesssing you individually.

This explains it better https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/474014/dmgch11.pdf if you feel enough of the descriptors apply then do it as a joint claim, if not then don't.

Darksparkle

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

You mention him staying over 2 nights

There is a myth thats been around for ages that if they only stay 2 nights it doesn't count, this isn't true. They look at you as a whole asesssing you individually.

This explains it better https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/474014/dmgch11.pdf if you feel enough of the descriptors apply then do it as a joint claim, if not then don't.

Just to mention that link is for DWP benefits eg IS or JSA and not tax credits.

Housing_Benefit_Officer

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

You mention him staying over 2 nights

There is a myth thats been around for ages that if they only stay 2 nights it doesn't count, this isn't true. They look at you as a whole asesssing you individually.

This explains it better https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/474014/dmgch11.pdf if you feel enough of the descriptors apply then do it as a joint claim, if not then don't.

Indeed - a Merchant seaman might be away for a year yet he would still be classed as the partner of his wife.

konark

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

Indeed - a Merchant seaman might be away for a year yet he would still be classed as the partner of his wife.

No you wouldn't, if you are out of the country for more than 8 weeks you no longer live here for CTC purposes.

However, you would be deemed to still live here for some other means-tested benefits

And if you were in the Royal Navy you would still be in the country.

So it is possible to have a single claim for CTC and a joint claim for HB.

Bananas123

you would imagine they would fall under the "Living as a couple" no ?

because a navy boat is not a "house" etc............................