Child benefit??? So annoyed at myself!!

[blue5467]

By chance I was reading martins money tips and saw something about Child Benefit - I didn't realise pretty much everyone was eligible for it! I'd never even heard of it never mind applied for it! Neither of us earn over £50k so we totally should have known to apply!

I have a toddler and a newborn and although I can get backdated payments for my newborn I've missed out on 2 years worth of payments for my toddler!

So annoyed at myself! It's £2000!

Have I been living under a rock not to know about this?

You certainly have
Unbelievable

Yep, pretty much! Do you still get the forms in bounty packs in the hospital?

Yes unbelievable! I was given a form when we registered DC

How did you not know about it from when you were a child? I was always aware of Mum picking up the 'family allowance' so knew about it from that, despite the name change.

I could imagine not knowing if you had zero experience of benefits at all, ever as it's a gateway to other child relates benefits. Now you do so out a claim in.

I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it.

I’m not from, nor have I ever lived in, the UK, and I don’t have children but I still know about it.

No bounty pack when in hospital either time and no one - not the midwife or health visitor or registrar mentioned it!!

On the news I thought it was linked to low income benefits, rather than being something pretty much everyone could get.

So annoyed!!!!!

There have been a few threads on here about people making the same mistake. I've always known about it but cant remember how I knew.

I remember a thread on this before and the incredulity that someone couldn't know about and now I find out that there's more than one person.

Your parents, the baby's father, his parents, your friends have never once mentioned it?

No form with the birth certificate either time

No family member or friend has ever mentioned it!! Of course when I asked today they said they just presumed I knew about it!!

Did you grow up in this country? It's very well known. Your own mother would have had it!

I guess you don't know what you don't know but it's amazing no ones ever mentioned it and you've not been curious enough to google what it's all about!

Nothing you can do about it now though.

Trying to think of what else you might need to know but don't...

You have to register for it even if you're not entitled it it so your child gets an NI number when they're 16.

Do you know all 3-4 year olds in England get 570 free childcare per year? Some are entitled to 30 hours?

Claiming child benefit also keeps your state pension stamps going, so even if husband earns too much, still claim CB and then repay somehow ,dont know if that’s still the system now but I was caught out many years ago
It’s a crap system

We don't live in england so don't qualify for 30hours. I do know about tax free childcare thank goodness so I'm not 100% a plonker!!

Only backdate 3 months it seems

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/child-benefit/help-with-your-claim/how-to-claim-child-benefit/

Not knowing about child benefit is like being unaware of police stations or the royal family. It's something that everyone just knows.

Well early everyone doesn’t just know

But enough people know, that it means they’re unlikely to say, “have you dieted your CB...”

It’s a shame, but no point crying over spilt milk. Claim the short period of allowed backdating, and try to be positive about the ongoing bonus rather than negative about the past!

@newhousestress really? If you don't claim it then there won't be a ni number issued? My friend doesn't claim it so I'll let her know.

They may not send the NI number automatically if a CB claim has never been made. You can put in a CB claim but opt out of getting the money.

Ok, thanks for that.

Are you in Scotland @blue5467? There are free childcare entitlements there, too! 3-4 yr olds qualify for 15 free hours a week and is being rolled out to 30 hours a week in some areas.

@userxx you have to fill in the forms for the child then tick the box saying you do not want to take the benefit and therefore not pay the tax charge.

www.gov.uk/child-benefit-tax-charge