Single parent benefit entitlement and tax credit questions

I have made an appointment with the CAB but last time I had to go there the woman spoke to me like I was pond scum so this time I want to go armed with some information first.

I have been living with my parents since my relationship ended and have had tenants living in my flat. After looking at my finances I think I may be able to move back into the flat early next year but just need to check that I'd be claiming everything I'm entitled to.

So ...

Child benefit which I've now begun to receive

I can get single person discount on my council tax which is straightforward to apply for

Child Tax credit - this is where I become confused! Can you claim it from when the child is born or when you return to work after maternity leave? Also, one of the first questions is - 'Are you a tenant', I don't class myself as a tenant but as I'm not living in my own home should the answer be yes? I've used the EntitledTo website to get a rough idea of what I would receive but I don't know if I can trust it as I'm not sure if I'm putting in the right information. Someone also told me that the amount decreases after the first year, is that right? If it is would the decrease be much?

Sorry for all the questions, I'd be really grateful for any help.

dippy xx

I would check out this site and give the inland revenue a call with your questions they would be the best people to answer

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/index.htm?cids=Google_PPC&cre=Money

if you are entitled to benefits and pregnant/just had a child you might be entitled to the Surestart Maternity Grant too which is £500, also you will get a Health in Pregnany grant of £190

If you are working you might also be entitled to working tax credits and childcare vouchers.

I don't actually know anything about how to claim these or who would be entitled but a friend recently became a single parent and I am pretty sure she is entitled to most of these.

hi

child tax credits is claimable from when you have the baby and you are in reciept of child benefit. i dont know your situation as in are you pregnant or had a baby and how old your baby is but if you are on maternity you could be entiltled to maternity allowance or if not on maternity and you arent working you could be entitled to income support for lone parents  they are all from the jobcentre you can call them and go through the questions and they will tell you what benefits you may e entitled to tho they cannot tell you how much you will recieve

if you return to work you could recieve working tax credits if you earn under 17k and get some help with childcare.

now you are recieving child benefit call the child tax people and cliam that straight away i think its around 70 ish per month for a baby under 1 (so for a year) then about 45 thereafter.

even though you are living a parents you can still claim although you will have to declare the money you recieve from tennants which could make a difference although when you then move you just have to inform the benefits of the change

hope this has made some sense to you

Thanks,

Rosie is 13 weeks old and luckily my work have a good maternity package and I'm still on half pay for a while before SMP only. My flat always confuses things as although it's counted as an asset my tenants pay the mortgage but I pay the ground rent and service charges etc so technically it doesn't bring in an income.

I'll have a look at that link, thanks again

dippy xx

child tax credit is about £10 a week more for the first year, I think its called a newborn premium or something