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AIBU?

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Should ex have half child benefit?

31 replies

OneGreyBiscuit · 22/04/2025 05:35

I've recently left my partner and have a just turned 18 year old ds and nearly 14 year old dd. We still get child benefit for both children presently as ds is still at college. Dd is staying half the week at mine and half the week at her dad's, except in the holidays when she's predominantly with me. Ex is taking half of the child benefit. My problem with this is 1. Ds isn't even staying there so he's providing nothing for him and my DD is saying she doesn't want to stay there as there's no food (probably meaning snacks), she doesn't shower there as he's not brought a slip mat and he hasn't even brought her a hairbrush which I told him she needed to keep at his. Didnt even get them an Easter egg which is no surprise as it's been down to me for the past 18 years. He also has the cheek to say he'll transfer my half to me, like it's his money. Is he mugging me off?

OP posts:
Nellodee · 22/04/2025 06:13

If you sign up for a government gateway account, you can see which one of you gets the child benefit. I don’t think it will be in joint names as it affects your pension.

Theunamedcat · 22/04/2025 06:12

Only one parent can claim

Ring them transfer it to your account

Close the joint account your no longer together

When he has the children you can transfer him half of one child's portion

OneGreyBiscuit · 22/04/2025 06:08

Theunamedcat · 22/04/2025 06:03

Do you claim or him

I think it's in both our names and goes into the joint account that's still active

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 22/04/2025 06:05

No way should he get half if not having the child for half the time, or even providing basics. It’s for spending on the child, contributing to bills etc, not extra spends for him.

Theunamedcat · 22/04/2025 06:03

Do you claim or him

AnOldCynic · 22/04/2025 05:58

In this scenario I’d give it to the 14YO as their allowance but they need to buy their own stuff with it. They are old enough to learn to budget with it. That way there’s no argument about who gets it.

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