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HI,
I'm sadly separating from my wife who has a job that pays a 6 figure salary and she has equal amounts in savings and investments. As a result we've never qualified for child benefit etc. I however earn £25,000 a year salary and have no savings. I've always passed 80% of my income straight over to pay for the household and nursery expenses and I can't see how, on my current income, I will be able to set up a new home for myself. I wish to have joint residency and care for my two children (5months and 2yrs) and still be able to provide and pay my ex Maintenance. Will I realistically be able to claim working family tax credits and/or child benefit? An additional £200 a month would make a huge difference to my circumstances and enable me to build a new life for myself and be a father to my children more often.
Hi there
If you have the children an equal amount of time and the ex isn't claiming these benefits, I don't see any reason why you can't. Even if you have them for less, as you would be the only parent claiming I don't see a problem. Have you spoken to your ex about it?
All the best
why do you need to pay your ex maintenance? I would say that you go for joint residence so child maintenance isn't an issue, and you agree that you are where the children reside as far as child benefits is concerned - there is no reason why you can't claim it.
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