Child tax benefits and residence visas?

A couple of friends of mine are both tax payers on PAYE. They have a child born in the UK (and the child is thus a British citizen) although they themselves are not British citizens. They have leave to work and remain in the UK as highly skilled migrant workers.

However, the other day I was surprised to learn that they are not claiming any child tax credits (or whatever they%26#039;re called). The reasons they gave were:

- The visa conditions state %26quot;no recourse to public funds%26quot;

- It might affect their citizenship application

Now, I see tax credits as refunds of tax paid, not recoursing to public funds. Is that correct? And will it affect their citizenship status (they otherwise qualify easily).

Cheers

Child tax benefits and residence visas?

the child was born here so is entitled to child tax credits and child benefit.they should realy,i find it hard enough money wise and i claim them.they are working and not on benefits so i dont see why it would affect citizenship.there is a minimum survival basically the least you need to live and if you get less than that the government top it up with tax credits.if they are tax payers they are contributing and therfore entitled to it.