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

Child benefit

8 replies

Look289 · 29/08/2023 19:12

Hello, due to a family loss I’m going to spend some time with my mum until her property sells and she can move back close to home.

my children are going to live with their dad full time and his partner until I’m back home.

I’ve informed child benefit today and they said my claim will remain open until 8 weeks have past and something about a backdated payment for the 8 weeks if their dad doesn’t put a claim in.

my question is what happens if there dad doesn’t put a claim in for child benefit? if he doesn’t will my claim be closed down as I’ve informed them of the change? And once the children are back with me will I need a new claim?

I’m sorry for the long post I just don’t want to be receiving money I’m not entitled too!

thank you

OP posts:
Cailleachian · 31/08/2023 15:14

You'd be far better continuing to claim child benefit and just transferring the money to their Dad. Makes everything much simpler, he doesnt have to apply and you dont have to reapply.

The only reason that it would make sense to change it is if their Dad's household is on a low income and would be eligible for additional benefits that you would not be, if they claimed the CB.

Sanch1 · 31/08/2023 16:27

Why not just talk to him and sort it out between you?

Original poster
Look289 · 31/08/2023 17:15

Thank you for your replies.

I did think of doing this and just transferring him the money but i didn’t want to be doing anything I shouldn’t be doing. I stupidly googled and people saying doing that was fraud, but for the short amount of times it’s going to be for seemed like the best option!

OP posts:
Cailleachian · 31/08/2023 20:41

Defo not fraud.

Either parent (but not both!) can claim for CB regardless of who the child lives with, however it makes sense for the lower earning household to do so, as CB is a gateway benefit.

ZombieBoob · 31/08/2023 20:48

It also does your national insurance contributions. Are you going to be paying effectively cms?

Original poster
Look289 · 31/08/2023 21:10

im just kicking myself now I already phoned to tell child benefit and they said claim would be suspended from the 1st of sep so I’m thinking I’m going to have to re apply anyway now when the children come back to me?

thank you for your responses it’s helped a lot just wish I hadn’t rushed into it!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 02/09/2023 10:21

Why on earth did you cancel it?
You can still claim it if you're paying the same amount or more towards their care/upkeep. Its definitely not fraudulent for you to keep claiming.

And yes you'd need to put in a new claim if your existing claim is closed

Demona12009 · 03/06/2024 00:45

I didn’t receive my child benefit too… usually I have it on my account on Saturday. Is already Monday 00:45 and still nothing . Barclays Bank …

New posts on this thread. Refresh page