Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Original poster

Is there any point in continuing to claim child benefit?

21 replies

ElaineMarley · 20/01/2023 11:27

We have to pay it all back every year in the tax return, so should I just cancel it? I remember reading something ages ago about it helping with my national insurance when I wasn't working and allowing my child to get a national insurance number, but do we have to do this until he's an adult or is it ok to stop now? It would mean that we could finally give up filling in a tax return.

OP posts:
Skyeheather · 20/01/2023 11:30

You can choose not to receive the money. If you are not working you will continue to receive the NI contributions until your child is 12 years old.

RufustheFloralmissingreindeer · 20/01/2023 11:32

your son gets a NI number automatically so you can stop whenever you want

with the obvious exception being what skye just said, we claimed child benefit til the youngest was 12 even though we were no longer entitled to the money

Original poster
ElaineMarley · 20/01/2023 11:36

I am working but could lose my job if economy continues to be a bit shaky. Child is 9. My husband earns over the high income threshold. Should I carry on with the child benefit until my child is 12 just in case? I'm not sure I really understand.

OP posts:
Skyeheather · 20/01/2023 13:09

You don't cancel your claim for Child Benefit, you just call them and say that you don't want the money part. The claim stays open and you continue to get Class 3 NI Contributions until your child is 12.

MrsMikeHeck · 20/01/2023 13:24

If you’re 100% sure you will earn over £12000 every year til your dc is 12, then cancel. Otherwise keep claiming as it counts as a qualifying year towards state pension - I think you need 35 qualifying years for a full state pension? But I know that’s changed recently.

MrsMikeHeck · 20/01/2023 13:26

Ok scrap what I just wrote - maybe the threshold is £6k?? Quote from Which website:

If you're earning less than £12,570 a year but more than £6,396, you won't pay National Insurance but will still get a qualifying year.

Happythoughts12 · 20/01/2023 13:32

Give them a ring. Say you want to opt out of payments and that will keep your "account" open, so you still get the NI benefit if needed. They also recommend this because of your husband lost his job etc then you can quickly start recieving payments again. It was really quick and easy when I did it.

Skyeheather · 20/01/2023 13:35

Anyone with caring responsibilities for a child under 12, who doesn't work can claim Class 3 NI Contributions, you just need to fill in an online form so worst case scenario you would just need to do that. Ask them when you call what the situation is though....

Seainasive · 20/01/2023 13:38

Hate to say it but just because you are a high earners now, it may not always be that way. We were certainly grateful to keep receiving the child benefit when I lost my job and was unemployed for a while.

BadNomad · 20/01/2023 13:49

Do you have full access to household money? If not, then it's a good idea to keep claiming it so you have it.

BuffaloCauliflower · 20/01/2023 13:52

We don’t currently claim as my husband earns over the threshold and I’m working, but considering staying at home after this mat leave and if so will claim but not get the money to get the NI contributions. If it’s the only thing that goes on the tax return I’d suggest you do that.

Sarahcoggles · 20/01/2023 13:54

I never cancelled mine, and just paid it back after declaring it on my annual tax return. I saw it as an interest free loan. Now I've reduced my hours and I'm earning below the threshold, so I can keep my child benefit. I'm glad it didn't go to the trouble of cancelling and reactivating it.

MaverickGooseGoose · 20/01/2023 14:08

Seainasive · 20/01/2023 13:38

Hate to say it but just because you are a high earners now, it may not always be that way. We were certainly grateful to keep receiving the child benefit when I lost my job and was unemployed for a while.

I just stopped it. Doing the tax return was something I don't want to have to deal with.

You can always reclaim if you need to.

WulyJmpr · 21/01/2023 00:41

Don't forget the higher earner(s) can reduce their adjusted net income to being below £50k by paying more into your pension.

In effect putting the child benefit in pension savings instead of handing it back to the government.

RufustheFloralmissingreindeer · 21/01/2023 10:15

WulyJmpr · 21/01/2023 00:41

Don't forget the higher earner(s) can reduce their adjusted net income to being below £50k by paying more into your pension.

In effect putting the child benefit in pension savings instead of handing it back to the government.

Yes, depending on how much over it is and living cots etc

RufustheFloralmissingreindeer · 21/01/2023 10:15

Costs

😒

LittleBearPad · 21/01/2023 10:17

You can elect simply not to receive the money.

This is the easiest approach and if you ever need to receive the cash again you can just ring them up again.

Eyelashesoffire · 21/01/2023 10:20

WulyJmpr · 21/01/2023 00:41

Don't forget the higher earner(s) can reduce their adjusted net income to being below £50k by paying more into your pension.

In effect putting the child benefit in pension savings instead of handing it back to the government.

Is the threshold £50k net? I thought it was gross?

WulyJmpr · 21/01/2023 16:09

The £50k is based on ANI. Have a look at ANI here as it's important to understand the calculation:

www.gov.uk/guidance/adjusted-net-income

LadyLapsang · 21/01/2023 17:07

Paul Lewis of Radio 4’s Moneybox programme ( not to be confused with Martin Lewis) advises to continue to claim. He has just written a really good book covering all the essentials of finance from cradle to grave, called Moneybox. It is also available on Audible. I really recommend it.

Original poster
ElaineMarley · 23/01/2023 00:25

LadyLapsang · 21/01/2023 17:07

Paul Lewis of Radio 4’s Moneybox programme ( not to be confused with Martin Lewis) advises to continue to claim. He has just written a really good book covering all the essentials of finance from cradle to grave, called Moneybox. It is also available on Audible. I really recommend it.

What's the reason behind that advice?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page