child benefit / tax credits

[scorz]

i've recently got the ilr and we have a son - born before getting the ilr.

we would like to know if claiming child benefit, tax credits (both child tax credit as well as working tax credit) affect the naturalisation process in any way?

the other important question i wanted to ask was:
child benefits and tax credits - should they be claimed by the same person? or can - for example - the mother (not in employment currently) claim the child benefit whereas the father (who is in employment) claims the tax credits? are there any pros and/or cons for such case(s) if so what?

i wasnt sure where to post this, but (i am sure there are many who might find themselves in similar situation) would appreciate if people with similar circumstances share their experiences.

[Kayalami]

1. Child benefit is not means tested but Child Tax Credit is - how much do you earn and how many hours do you work? Give a 5K range for the former e.g. 20-25K etc.

2. Either parent can claim the above given that ILR is held. For practical reasons it tends to go to the parent with day to day care which statistically has tended to be the mother.

3. Claiming a benefit you are not entitled to by way of misrepresentation constitutes fraud and as such impacts on the good character requirement for naturalisation.

[John]

I've recently got the ilr and we have a son

I presume you mean that both you and your wife have now got ILR, otherwise some of what follows will not be correct.

we would like to know if claiming child benefit, tax credits (both child tax credit as well as working tax credit) affect the naturalisation process in any way?

No it will not. Go ahead and claim.

child benefits and tax credits - should they be claimed by the same person? or can - for example - the mother (not in employment currently) claim the child benefit whereas the father (who is in employment) claims the tax credits?

Child Benefit is claimed by just one person. It can be either parent. However I think in most households it is probably the mother who claims ... but the two of you need to decide between you whether to follow that normal convention or not.

Tax Credits? Where a couple live together they need to jointly claim any Tax Credits. Accordingly for Tax Credits your question is effectively redundant, or a non-issue.

Both Child Benefit and Tax Credits can now be claimed on-line by going to www.hmrc.gov.uk .

[AsifKhan]

Hi, I have the similar query:

I have just been given ILR, my son was born here before my ILR while my wife was on dependent visa. They went abroad and now both of them joined me again after my ILR on 2 years dependent visa. I want to know:

i) can I claim child benefits for my son? without effecting my chances of applying for citizenship and my wife's ILR application.
ii) can my son be registered as british citizen as he was born here and now his father on ilr? when and how?
iii) can my wife start her own business on her current stay?

I would much appriciate if you can quote government's official statements alongwith your answers, so that I can use these if anything goes wrong.

[John]

The answers are ... yes ... yes ... yes .... and for more detail use the search facility on this Board .... because, believe me, it is not the first time these queries have been posted.

Also, as well as you (but not your wife) claiming the Child Benefit, both of you jointly can claim Tax Credits.

[sashank]

Can a spouse (Visa status) of workpermit holder become self-employed?

[John]

Yes she can! It is an anomaly that such a dependent has actually got more rights than the main visa holder, but their rights are dependent upon the main visa holder remaining as such.

The difference is even more marked for the dependent of a student visa holder.