Should I have been claiming child benefit all this time?

[cantforthelifeofme]

I have a 4yo and 1yo and I've just happened across an advert saying 'if your child was born during the pandemic you could be eligible for child benefit'.

Looking into it, it seems that I could have been claiming child benefits for the last 4+ years! Neither my husband or I earn £50K.

I had heard of child benefit but assumed it was for jobless/low income etc.

No one has ever mentioned this to us :(

Nobody mentioned it to us either. I just knew there was something and spent ages hunting it down. Sucks that you missed out!

Everyone with a child should claim child benefit, including high earners.

If your child is under 12 you will get NI credits which count towards your state pension. If you're working and paying NI, you may not need them but worth having them in case your circumstances change. If a family member is caring for your child e.g. whilst you're at work, they may be able to claim Specified Adult Childcare credits if you claim child benefit and don't need your NI Credits.

You can only backdate Child Benefit and the NI credits by 3 months - a friend found this out the hard way.

If either parent earns over £50k you can still claim. You either pay the tax and keep the credits or claim and opt out of the money - that way you avoid the tax but keep the credits.

Your child will also get their NI number at 16 if you claim child benefit. If you don't they won't get an NI number automatically and will need to apply for one.

I actually thought that the introduction of the means testing and it's discussion in mainstream media would mean that anyone who was an adult or anywhere near adulthood in 2013 would be aware, or at least hear enough that they would think to look it up.

@Lachimolala you don’t get given benefits forms at the hospital!

your post is really patronising.

The historic reason for child benefit was because it was paid to the mother in the past and was to give them access to their own money when they were relying on a husband who may give them access to money when they were a SAHM. Nowadays the main benefit other than cash is the NI credits it gives to those SAHM

@Iknowforsure1 - if you give the National Insurance team a call they will be able to help. Their number will be online. I’d ring as soon as they open to avoid long queues.

@IDontLikeMondays88 - You do at mine. In a Bounty pack.

Most parents do get their CB forms in the hospital. It's possible OP (and others) didn't get hers for various reasons but it's definitely a thing.

Apply ASAP .Its a bummer .however as you have been without it so long, maybe you could save some, and not miss it IYSWIM .In any case the 3 months should be a bonus for you .Have you also checked re Tax credits or help with CC costs at all .It seems you have to do the searching yourself now!

I did :)

I’m British. Not stupid. Normally aware of the world. I’m 32, had my first baby in April. Saw the health visitor once after birth for a 5 minute weigh. They forgot my 10 day appointment. No HV or midwife told me about child benefit. I’ve never heard of or had a bounty pack. I only knew about child benefit because a friend said to me “I’m worried my form for child benefit has been lost, I’ve heard nothing” and I knew she earns more than me so I googled. Not that stupid! Just a lack of support pre and post birth leads to this type of thing.

My first in 2019 I got a form in hospital. Just had my 2nd no mention so I rang them. I have no account etc- I’ve registered her so they added her - get £14 extra a week

You aren’t the only one! I also thought it was like other benefits and I wouldn’t be entitled. It was mum friends that told me when DD was about 6 months old.

Nobody else said anything! I agree, guide with the red book would’ve been handy.

I did @IDontLikeMondays88 It came as part of the Bounty pack.

We stopped claiming when Dh's overtime took him past 50k. It would have been such a faff paying it back just for the sake of keeping a small amount. I only earn around 16k so it boils my blood. I'm just lucky that DH isn't a prick about money. With the way inflation is, combined with no proper pay rise for both of us for years (DH and I are both public sector), that child benefit really would make a difference to us. There should be an increase in the threshold.

That’s correct but the question is still asked on your tax return so the accountant has either marked a yes as default assuming she receives it or a no for reasons known only to them!

Definitely pull your accountant up on this OP!

I must have imagined the form I received while lying in my hospital bed cuddling my newborn then.

My niece was given the form in hospital just this summer! I was given the forms in hospital for each of my children AND reminded by the registrar when we registered the births.

Thanks, I've just realised that DS2 didn't get one when he turned 16. That will be the reason, I'll have to chase it up.

Nearly all my friends got given the Child Benefit form in hospital when they gave birth - as part of the Bounty Pack.

A reminder - if either of you earn £50k or more, you can claim Child Benefit and opt out of receiving the payments to get the NI Credits, an automatic NI number for your child and no need to pay anything back as tax.

I received a form in some maternity pack whilst on the maternity ward. I didn't realise this had changed.

An I'm sorry OP that's really frustrating, nothing can be done now so rather than focus on what you haven't claimed, see the bonus going forward.

Oh no how gutting! If it helps I've experienced similar. A friend lost her job and everyone said to her oh but you have insurance right? No one ever thought to mention the insurance before she actually needed it. There was no alternative in her home country so how would she know to ask about it?

@cantforthelifeofme If you haven't been told about CB then don't assume your NI contributions have been paid. Mine weren't (although they had been deducted from my wages), and I missed out on maternity pay.

Your DS will need to apply for an NI number from HMRC or DWP. If he's 16-19 he needs HMRC. If he's 20+ he needs DWP.

I had my baby this year in hospital, and nobody mentioned it to me either..