cheetah wrote:Hello,
I am on ILR and my wife recently got her Spouse visa (5 year partner route) and my son is dependent visa. Recently I have received their approval letter which says: Your sponsor is not allowed to apply for public funds on your or any dependant's behalf that support in your living and accommodation cost. Does it mean that I am not allowed to apply child benefits and working tax credits? If I do, would it be breach of their immigration conditions?
Thanks.
It means that your wife cannot take UK benefits that are public funds and you can't claim extra for her on your claim.
Child Benefit must only be in your name.
Tax Credits must be in joint names as it will be fraud if you claim that you are single, but you cannot accept the second adult element payment of the Tax Credit benefit for her.
Housing Benefit won't make any difference as that is based on the number of bedrooms you can have and she will share your room
Council Tax Allowance benefit she must pay 75% before any allowance is given for your low income. Singles pay 75% of council tax and she can't take any Council Tax Allowance as it is a public fund.
Use a tax credits calculator to work out this years Tax Credits claim.
But all benefits are being reduced or frozen from 2016. Tax Credits are being reduced and frozen. In 2016 Tax Credits earning limit is reducing and the taper (reductions on what you earn from working) is increasing.
Once you know what you will be given this year for Tax credits, use this chart to see how much your Tax Credits will be reduced from April 2016 as it is the best guide around.
http://www.litrg.org.uk/News/2015/15091 ... affect-you
Universal Credit
When Tax Credits are replaced by Universal Credit in your area, you will have to earn a set amount from an employer per week (35 hours x the hourly national minimum wage) to avoid the tough Universal Credit conditions for those that don't earn enough.
If you are self employed then UC will calculate your claim as if your earn 35 x NMW per week even if you don't earn that.
Your wife will be expected to look for work when your child is age one, and when he is age 3 she too will be expected to work 20 x NMW per week or have the Universal Conditions. Or you can earn her wage for her in addition to your own (35 + 20 = 55 hours per week times the hourly national minimum wage).
