Didn't know about child benefit!!

[Fayezzle]

Am I the only person in the country who didn’t know about child benefit??? I just presumed I wouldn’t qualify for any benefits and didn’t look into it… as it turns out, CB is for pretty much everyone and now I’ve lost out on months’ worth of money.
Nobody – friends, family, registrar, healthcare professionals – mentioned it to me, and I never took a good look at my Bounty Pack when I left hospital because I had more important things on my mind at the time! I just thought it was a load of adverts. Feel extremely stupid.

I'm pretty sure you can put in a backdated claim for up to a year ago. Worth checking. CB is for everyone, but if you and/or your partner earn over £50k you'll have to pay some/all of it back.

Do you know they back date it? Just put the date you want to claim from on it (the day your little one was born) and they back date it for you. Not sure if there's a limit on how far back but I'd forgotten to apply for my ds and they backdated it 3 months for me

I don't know how old your baby is but you can backdate it up to 3 months if that helps. You're right though no one mentions it to you! I found out through a friend when pregnant but had previously also presumed I wouldn't get anything!

It happens to a few fair new mothers unfortunately. I years ago missed out on the mat grant as no one told me. But ok you've lost a few months you will get CB until they are 16 so it's a long term benefit. Give them a call they may back date it?

Thank you all for your comments! You've made me feel a bit better. My baby is seven months' old and they only backdate up to three months, so we've lost a fair chunk of money. Sooooo annoyed at myself for not being on the ball.
You are right though TweedAddict, it is a long term benefit, and one I wasn't expecting, so I suppose I should look on the bright side!!

Our midwives inform new mothers about child benefit. Also when we register new babies you can also claim benefits (cb/tax credits) at the same time.

Also it's till age 19 if in full time below degree level education not 16.