Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Original poster

Child benefit eligibility

16 replies

kiddo5467 · 17/06/2021 12:20

Hi there,

Just looking for a bit of advice if there's anyone in a similar situation. Very aware this could come across as bragging about income but it's not intended at all.

I've a single parent to my DS and don't have a great relationship with exH. Contact is split 65% (me) / 35% (him) via a court order but he's on a bit of a power trip about making sure he is seen as the "main parent" - was very controlling with me when we were together, no concerns about DS but if there's a chance to make my life awkward or stamp his authority he will do it!

Anyway, I currently work 'reduced hours' and earn c. £48k so I'm eligible for child benefit as it's under the £50k threshold. However, I'm thinking of going full time and my salary would increase by 20% taking me over the £50k limit for child benefit.

I've heard in the past that one of the factors taken into account when defining the 'resident parent' is who receives the child benefit (as well as the split of custody).

I appreciate that I'm lucky to be in the financial position I'm in and would be happy to sacrifice my child benefit payment if my salary increase means I (quite rightly) no longer qualify. However, I don't want to do this if it means it will weaken my position as RP??

I'm obviously the resident parent just now with 65% custody but if my exH was to go for 50/50 contact in the future would this make it harder for me to demonstrate my case?

If so, I'd consider remaining on my reduced hours contract?

Alternatively, a friend said to me that if you earn over £50k you can still claim child benefit but fill in an self assessment and pay higher rate tax on it. I'd happily pay the tax and even donate to charity as I'd feel guilty claiming a benefit I don't technically need.

Does anyone have any experience of this?

OP posts:
bettyboo40 · 17/06/2021 12:23

You can deduct any salary sacrifice schemes you have (e.g childcare vouchers). I'm not sure about pension contributions too? If so you may find that this will also bring you back under the £50k. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along.

kitkatsky · 17/06/2021 12:26

I don't think you'd have anything to worry about. You are resident parent. Child lives with you most of the time and presumably doctor and school have your address in the file. You're not claiming CB because you're ineligible. No need to tell your ex. I feel for you with him trying to make your life hard though- mine is just the same

dementedpixie · 17/06/2021 12:32

You can claim CB and if your income is between £50 and £60k you would need to pay some back by doing a self assessment tax return. Once you reach £60k it would all be paid back.

You can also claim it but opt out of getting the money but I'd only do that if you were earning over £60k

dementedpixie · 17/06/2021 12:34

My dh earns over £60k but I still put in a claim and opted out of payment. It meant I got NI credits as I wasn't working and my children get their NI numbers automatically rather than having to apply for them.

Original poster
kiddo5467 · 17/06/2021 12:35

@kitkatsky

I don't think you'd have anything to worry about. You are resident parent. Child lives with you most of the time and presumably doctor and school have your address in the file. You're not claiming CB because you're ineligible. No need to tell your ex. I feel for you with him trying to make your life hard though- mine is just the same
Thanks Thanks

Dr has my address on file, school has both.

Appreciate I'm the RP just now but every now and again he says he wants to increase custody to 50/50 now that DS is older (7) (DS doesn't want any more contact as school, friends etc are all near me and it's his established routine).

We split 6 years ago and at the time my exH didn't earn much and CMS payments were based on a significantly lower salary than he's been earning the last few years. I've been considering getting a CMS review done but I've put it off in case this is the final catalyst for him to take me to court for 50/50 custody (so he doesn't need to pay any CMS at all).

So at the back of my mind I'm always worried he'll take me to court over this and I had it in my head that if it was 50/50 custody the parent that received the CB had more rights.
My thinking was if I stopped it as I was no longer eligible he could claim it instead, but you're right, he won't know if I claim it or not!

Can't believe 6 years own and the amount of stress and anxiety he still manages to cause me.
Sorry you're in a similar position Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
kiddo5467 · 17/06/2021 12:37

@dementedpixie

You can claim CB and if your income is between £50 and £60k you would need to pay some back by doing a self assessment tax return. Once you reach £60k it would all be paid back.

You can also claim it but opt out of getting the money but I'd only do that if you were earning over £60k

Ah this might be the solution I need thanks!!! I'd be just under the £60k if I went full time but a small pay rise or a bonus could tip me over.

I didn't realise I could claim and opt-out of receiving the payments. Thanks 🙌🏼

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 17/06/2021 12:38

Everyone with a child is eligible to apply for it regardless of income. Depending on income you may need to pay some or all of it back or opt out of payment.

titchy · 17/06/2021 12:39

Don't forget your salary for CB purposes will be after pension and any of tax free amounts (eg childcare vouchers) are taken off, so you will be still be eligible for some CB.

Original poster
kiddo5467 · 17/06/2021 12:39

@dementedpixie great to know! Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
kiddo5467 · 17/06/2021 12:40

@titchy @bettyboo40 thanks,
I'll need to look into this too.

OP posts:
amylou8 · 17/06/2021 12:43

You can claim it at any income, you'll just have to pay it back. Probably the best way around it. Does your ex need to know about your change in circumstances?

Original poster
kiddo5467 · 17/06/2021 12:45

@amylou8 I've got no intention of telling him anything! I'm just a bit naive to how these things work if he was to go to court for more access. Thanks :-)

OP posts:
ivegotthisyeah · 17/06/2021 12:46

Ignore him you have a court order! A RP is the address who the doctors / school / dentist have on file etc
With regard to your salary increase pension payments to sit under the £50 k and you can still claim CB. My friend does this and she is an accountant

Original poster
kiddo5467 · 17/06/2021 12:52

@ivegotthisyeah thanks! I do have a court order, I'm just worried he'll take me back to court to amend it now that DS is older than when it was agreed. I've been told it probably wouldn't go in his favour but it's constantly at the back of my mind!

OP posts:
ivegotthisyeah · 17/06/2021 14:00

@kiddo5467 cause he's a twat like most of them 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

RainBow725 · 17/06/2021 14:23

You could also increase your pension contributions which may help. I have done that to keep it under the threshold for losing any CB.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page