Hi All I am currently in reciept of Child tax credit and working tax credit , am self empolyed and my self assessment always done by accountant and figures transferred to tax credit renewal so figures will all match up at HMRC. I'm seperated from my husband and make a single claim, my claim has never been joint as prior to split our joint earnings were to much for us to be eligible. Around 18 months ago we decided to try again at our relationship, we never lived together as we didint want to confuse our son by disrupting what he had got used to until we were sure. I fell pregnant after a few months and unfortunately a few months later it became apparent that we couldnt make the relationship work. My daughter is now 4 weeks old and I'm scared to add her to my tax credit claim fearful of how it will look adding another child with the same surname to a single claim. I think I'm just asking to be investigated. Incidentally I live at my parents address ( they spend 8-9 mths out of the Uk ) so in affect I house sit for them, my ex and myself have no financial ties and he has never had any links to my house which should be straightforward to prove. I cant handle the stress of them delving into my bisuiness and am embarrassed enough that the relationship didnt work a second time, I'm almost tempted to close my claim as I'm hoping my income will increase enough after maternity leave to manage without tax credits ( my child maintenance payments for 2nd child should make this up) One other thing that may be relevant is that I always have used my maiden name as I had established a carrer in my own right ... however my passport is in my married name as we changed this in time for our honeymoon before i conceded to the fact that It would be easier to keep my maiden name. Not sure if relevant or not .. but may be another thing they may frown upon. What are your thoughts shall I not claim and go it alone or claim what I believe I am entitled to. Hope you can help