Joint child tax credit claim to separate single UC migration claims

kaysdee

Hi, does anyone have any experience in this? I currently have a joint child tax credit claim with my husband who is in a care home due to young onset dementia. Living arrangements notified and for child tax credits “a joint household” still applies if partners are in separate living arrangements as we are still very much married.

I’ve received my migration notice to UC and it says we both have to make single claims, which I expected. Only child left on the tax credits is about to turn 18 and I very much doubt I will continue to qualify for UC once he drops off the claim anyway. I work full time (albeit not much more than minimum wage) and am no longer classed as a carer due to husband being in a care home and older disabled son now living in supported living.

My question is do I make the separate UC claims on the same date? The deadline is 14th March but I assume the child tax credit claim ends on the first person claim so I should do both together? Husband currently entitled to contribution based ESA and enhanced rates of care and mobility PIP, although doesn’t receive payment for the care element due to the care home. His ESA payments closest to this will be 28th Feb and 14th March - I don’t think it matters for CB ESA as he doesn’t have any income related element so I don’t need to think about run on payments? I intend to keep his ESA claim open.

I’ve seen examples of single to joint claims but not vice versa and don’t want to mess it up as I think it’s in my best interests to stay on tax credits for as long as possible.

My HMRC app shows upcoming payments of CTC and then funnily enough WTC payments (which I’ve never been entitled to) around the date son leaves education. I know this is moot due to the migration but just thought it was interesting.

Northern_Wanderer

Your husbands contribution based ESA and PIP will not be affected as they are not means tested.

Your tax credits award will end when a new claim for UC is made. Are you an appointee for your husband? Or have a POA?

For existing CTC claimants, you can add WTC if you start working. There are some instances when a migration can be delayed or even cancelled, I think you might fit this category (due to son's age). I wonder if you might benefit from calling Help to Claim which is run by citizens advice?

Newcad

Migrations from Tax Credits to UC can no longer be delayed or extended, the legislation has been changed to prevent that.

The reason why is quite simple - ALL Tax Credits payments will end on 5th April 2025 and no Tax Credits payments will be made after that date.

If you haven't claimed UC by then it's hard luck, Tax Credits will end anyway - and if/when you do later claim UC the Tax Credits Transitional Provisions will no longer apply because nobody will be on Tax Credits after 5th April..

kaysdee

Hi, yes I have POA and I’m his appointee. 

I think I’ll make both claims on the same day nearer to the time as I anticipate the UC entitlement will end when son leaves college so will put it off for as long as possible.