Ex has put down 'Primary carer' on Tax Credits

[IronNeonClasp]

My ex has claimed tax credits as he is on a low wage. He told me yesterday that he had added that he was the main carer.
Currently I have my kids Sun pm, Mon 18:30 all night same until Friday when (school run) I drop them to school - he picks them up and has them until Sun pm.
I have been claiming child benefit since the kids were born. He's messaged me tonight to say "Tax credits have gone in.Do I need to ring them up to make sure you still receive the child benefit"
Will I now lose this entitlement?

You shouldn't - the Tax credit Office should try to determine who actually is the primary carer before just stopping your claim. They should get in touch with you and your ex to find out who this is.

So, if they write to you, make sure you let them know exactly what the childcare arrangements are - as you have them by far the most often you're the one who should be receiving CTC for them.

It usually goes to the one getting the child benefit. Give them a ring on Monday.

Cheeky git.

Thanks for the replies.
So do you think he has been fraudulent in saying he is the main carer?
TBH I just want to stay out of court, but if I lose my CB I am screwed as finances are so tough right now...

Ring them ASAP and tell them what you said in your first poost.

He's broken the law

So you have the kids all week and Sunday night? So he's not the main carer? He could get in a lot of trouble, give them a call on Monday.

It's fraud

He picks them up from school every weekday bar Friday and drops them to me around half 6. So I have them SMTWT nights until I drop them to school..

It's not that straight forward. As pp said, usually TC do go to the parent claiming Child benefit- but not always.

Basically it should go to the person who has them the most - but sometimes this can be difficult to prove.

My friend had to fight her ex for this as he had them roughly 50/50. In the end they both had to submit evidence. This was things like - where DC's were registered for doctors / dentist / school - and also provide school uniform receipts etc.

She won in the end - but he took his bat and ball home and now sees them maybe once a week - pays for nothing and no maintenance (self employed so cooks his books etc)

However it looks like you have them the most - maintenance always used to be calculated on overnights- if TC is too then you have them by far the most.

As others have said, phone them and let them know your arrangements. Good luck!

I really don't know what to do or say to him.

Can one parent claim tax credits and the other child benefit?

You can do - it's unusual but it happened to my friend. It's just a question of working out who has them most really.

What happens if the amount you both have them varies as they are older and more independent? Mine are 11, 13 and 15.

I am worried about this too.

How many hours per week do you have them in total (including sleeping)

How many hours does he have them per week?

The sum totals speak volumes. Ring and tell them he is not the main cater as he only has them x hours while I have them x hours.

I find the tax credits stuff really, really complex. I managed to get into arrears about 6 years ago and had to pay a substantial amount back. I really don't want to get into the shit with them again because of him. I know a backdated cheque looks great when you get it and if you're skint.

Basically I earn over the threshold to claim. My mum wants me to drop a couple of days in work and claim myself but like I say - I just have no idea what to do really.

Cherry - I'm still trying to work out the hours but I have them 5 overnights and he has 2 overnights and days as they aren't in school (weekends)