Access to Credit Cards for non working parents 19 October 2022 at 3:29PM in Credit cards 14 replies 697 views

TheHNB

Is anyone else fed up with not being able to get a credit card if you're a non-working mum/dad? 
I previously had a John Lewis Partnership Card which has changed the provider to New Day. They have made all existing card holders re-apply, as I am now a Mum I have been rejected and can't get any other credit card, despite our household income being quite high. 
I am an additional card holder on my husbands card so I can use a credit card, but if I buy him a xmas present he gets an alert to spoil the surprise.
I get that you need to have an income to get credit, but why doesn't household income count?

lr1277

Amex takes into account household income I believe. Though if you are interested in applying you should first check the places you might use it do accept Amex.

MovingForwards

Apply to your own bank, they'll see the money running through your account.

[Deleted User]

Household income e.g. an "allowance" for arguments sake isn't a guaranteed income like a salary is. With the responsible lending rules now in place, if they gave you a card and just as a theoretical thing, you ran it up and couldn't pay it back, they might end up liable / have to write off the money, hence stricter lending.

robber2

I'd suggest you use cash to buy your husbands presents

[Deleted User]

Your main bank if they allow homemaker or household income.
If not, something like aqua advance or 118money both seem to have homemaker as a status.

Sea_Shell

I was just thinking the same thing (which lead me to find this thread)

I quite fancy a 0% purchases card for a bit of stoozing with interest rates on the increase, but personally I have no income (although not a parent), and DH is only drawing the "tax free" personal allowance from his pension £13,800 (inc MA)

Chances of being accepted with a decent enough credit limit to make it worthwhile....low to none?

We put about £600-700 through our CC each month, and some cards are offering up to 20 months at 0% on purchases, so a small limit is a bit pointless.   Although every little helps right!?!

We don't "need" another credit card, as we have others we've had for years.

[Deleted User]

With no income for you and a very small pension income for the household, I would suspect you won't find a lender who would risk it and if you do, such a low income will get you a tiny limit anyway

Sea_Shell

Deleted_User said:

With no income for you and a very small pension income for the household, I would suspect you won't find a lender who would risk it and if you do, such a low income will get you a tiny limit anyway

You're right.    However I did 🤣 at the word "risk".   On paper it looks like a risk, but if you "knew" me, there is no risk!!

I only want credit for my own benefit 😉

[Deleted User]

The risk is for them. If they give you credit with no income and you run it up and put in a claim for hardship or unfair lending, they have to suck up and write off the money. Hence a risk.

Sea_Shell

Deleted_User said:

The risk is for them. If they give you credit with no income and you run it up and put in a claim for hardship or unfair lending, they have to suck up and write off the money. Hence a risk.

But I only have "no income" on paper!!

I am of independent means😉

Hence, no risk.

Application forms don't take that into account.   But then they probably don't want me as a customer, as they won't earn a penny interest out of me!