EEA & UK Entitlements/Benefits & The Home Office

Good afternoon folks,

I am an Irish citizen (with an American wife) living in Northern Ireland. We moved here in June 2016 and my wife was issued with her 5 year Residence Card in January 2017. I am a teacher and have been working here since we arrived.

I have been trying to get a National Insurance number for her every since we got to the UK - however here in Northern Ireland, a NI number is only issued if the person is A) Seeking work B) Seeking to claim benefits.

We found out she was pregnant a few weeks after arriving in the UK - and so we were OK with her not working (plus her chances of being hired were slim). Our daughter was born a few weeks ago & I would like to get her a NI number as quickly as possible.

Several people have said that she should apply for child tax credit and my questions are:

1) Is she even entitled to it? seeing as she initially came here on a EEA Family Permit (though I know because of my income she may not get anything anyway)

2) If she is able to claim - will her claim negatively impact us further down the line (with regards to how the Home Office views us) ?

Thank you!