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Original poster

Child Benefit stopped by ExH

4 replies

calmandserene · 01/02/2011 20:28

Did you know that the child benefit you receive for your children can be claimed by anyone, even your neighbour. To actually receive payment they would need to provide supporting evidence (?) which you are not entitled to see. This is what my ExH has done. My teenage son went to stay with his father in a fit of pique, but returned home after 5 weeks. Had to let him because every time there was a disagreement he threatened to go to his dads. I then received a letter saying that my child benefit had stopped for son. No discussion, no investigation, nothing. My son was back home by this point. His father is still receiving his sons child benefit and I have to apply as if it were a fresh claim. Remember, anyone can do this to you.

OP posts:
gillybean2 · 02/02/2011 07:15

Yes this is what happens. But you simply have to write saying you dispute it and they will stop the CB to your ex while they investigate (just as he did with you).

If he thought the move by your ds was to be permanent then i can see why he would request the CB be paid to hime. However as your ds had not beem away for more than 8 weeks (56 days) it seems to me that you can appeal the decision and possibly get the money back.

Look here under changes to do with your child
www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/keep-up-to-date/changes-to-report/what-to-report.htm#2

gillybean2 · 02/02/2011 07:16

Oh make sure you send anything you post by registered post and if you talk to anyone on the phone keep detailed notes with date/time and ask for the name of the person you spoke too.

NicknameTaken · 02/02/2011 11:03

Yes, my ex did that too. Gilly's write, you just tell the CB office and they will investigate the counter-claims. You need to show that your DS spends more nights with you than with him.

In my case, the CB Office took ages to investigate - I had to complain to my MP in the end, but I got it all back as a lump sum eventually.

Original poster
calmandserene · 03/02/2011 15:06

Thanks for your responses. What gets me is the fact that they (CB) can do this on nothing but the say so of another person. My poor DS has no idea of the trouble his raging hormones have caused. Teenagers huh.

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