do you claim your child benefit even if you don't 'need' it?

[elportodelgato]

Just interested. We don't really need CB, it doesn't get spent on everyday essentials, it goes into a nice savings account for DD for when she's older. I personally think CB should be means tested and therefore not made available to people (like me) who don't need it. But while it's available to everyone, it's legitimate free money so why not? Does anyone disagree?

For the record I am not giving to charity, an individual appeal maybe but i don't consider it compulsory in order to feel ok about getting child benefit.

I just don't see why you would take out of the system if you don't need to, especially when there are others who need it. In the past I have worked for free when I did not need the money. For me it is not an arbitary link . We already donate money to charity as we have more than we need but we donate the extra £70 month because we get it from the government. If I did not get it I would not donate it.

I am shocked that people who are comfortably off take money out of the system that they do not need to . As I said earlier there was a time when I claimed benefits and I hated it and put all my efforts into ensuring I would be independent in the future.

its a universal benefit,i take it because im entitled.are you suggsting i decline it?certainly not.i can make make use of it,and i dont feel angst whatsoever

Tiptree, not sure why I am morally obliged to leave money in the system that I don't need but am entitled to.

The government has no qualms taking taxes/NI off my income which I pay as a good citizen. If it decides I am entitled to a benefit which is not means-tested, I will claim it which is my due to do with as I wish.

It is a moral-free zone.

Instead of universal benefits, I am equally happy, in fact even happier, for the government to lower my income tax ie let me keep more of my income. That way, we don't have to waste central government's time and expense in shuffling money around.

Aggghhh - I shouldn't post late at night when I am irritable, but there is obtuse and there is obtuse

Tiptree - sorry, I meant you . You are entitled to your opinion, but boy is it rigidly dogmatic.

Child Benefit is there to be claimed by anyone who has a child, it used to be called 'family allowance' which meant as it does now it is a payment for families. I am a sahm as I have 2 ds's with sn so working is a nightmare what with appointments and regular sickness. We are not desperate for it but would miss it. I gets used in the same way as all other income.

i dont need it to survive but by christ i chuck it in the pot

I definitely need mine. I need yours too please.

lol, solo!

Tis true hmc. All others CB are welcome.

If you give to charity, mix in Christian circles, you should definitely take the child benefit and hand it over to the church. The church is far better are using money well than the government, and they get even more because they claim back tax.

The least moral thing to do with it is not to claim it, IMO.