Restarting child benefit- you can backdate

[Supersoakers]

I just wanted to share that I recently backdated my child benefit to June 2022 (I’d cancelled it after being stung by having to pay it all back one year as I didn’t know my benefit in kind company car would push up my taxable figure so much).
Anyway I realised that 22/23 I didn’t earn over £50 and this year may just be slightly over. So thought I’d try and restart/backdate.

[Supersoakers]

Sorry I lost a long post so breaking it up.
I just did it all on the website- I downloaded the HMRC app and went to restart child benefit and dated it to the last time I’d had a payment. I had to state how me and dh knew our earnings were not over that (tax return).
15 days later- a large amount has been paid back!
I thought it could only be back dated 2 months. That must be for new children.

Just wanted to share in case anyone else is in the situation- has cancelled their cb when they didn’t need to and thinks that ship has sailed - it hasn’t!
obvs from April 2024 the threshold has changed as well.

[dementedpixie]

I think its only new claims that can be backdated 3 months and if you restart an existing claim i think you can backdate for up to 2 financial years if applicable

[turnern]

Thanks so much for taking the time to post this! I have literally searched everywhere for the answer to this question as I anxiously await to hear back from HMRC. There are so many posts stating the 3 month backdate limit, when that only applies to new claimants. As I was already claiming, but had 'opted out' of receiving the payment (other half was earning above threshold prior to starting his own business), then that is when back payments can be claimed for a period of up to two financial years. And now I just have to hope I filled the form in accurately!!

[Supersoakers]

Ah glad to help, I’d done the same which is why I posted. It was only when I went to restart and it said from when that I thought well I’ll give it a go and it’s worked! Money in bank 2 weeks later!