What happens with child benefit and other benefits when divorcing?

[etttvatre]

I am planning to leave my husband but am looking at the financial stuff first.

We are not currently receiving any benefits other than CB, however I think we are both going to have to once separated.

My husband is currently receiving the child benefit and I am wondering how this will affect things?

I'm hoping we are going to be able to come to an agreement where we split the time with the children 50/50.

What my wondering is;

1. Will I be able to apply for housing benefit/tax credits based on having two dependants even though I am not receiving CB?

1. Can the CB be split between parents after separation?

1. Can we both separately apply for benefits based on having two dependants after separation?

Many thanks for any replies.

Why not claim benefits for one child each. As you will be sharing care 50/50 surely it makes sense to each claim for one of the children.

Thank you, that's a good idea! I didn't realise that was a possibility.

You can claim CB and child tax credits for a child each but it will obviously depend on your income. After April 2016, the threshold without childcare costs is going down to around £21k, so you would each individually need to earn less than £21k to qualify. If you will be paying childcare costs then the threshold will be higher.

Thanks for your reply, we do earn over 21k but also have childcare costs.

I have gone on to entitledto and had a look at what we might get which looks good.