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Original poster

Who buys children's essentials/child benefit

11 replies

Bunnytot · 14/08/2024 20:09

When my ex and I divorced he agreed to let me continue receiving the child benefit for our children. He earns 60k per year whereas I earn £20k. Initially we agreed to pay 50/50 towards the children's essentials- school uniform, shoes, coats, school trips etc but now he refuses to pay half stating that I should buy these things with the child benefit. I do use the c/b to buy these items but also use it towards food, gas/elec/water bills, rent, petrol etc. I'm just really struggling financially footing the bill for all these things. He doesn't pay anything else towards the children.
Is it correct that I should solely buy all these essential items for our children with being in receipt of the child benefit?

OP posts:
gamerchick · 14/08/2024 20:10

Why isn't he paying CM?

Eileen101 · 14/08/2024 20:10

Sounds like a cms clsim is needed.

Cloverforever · 14/08/2024 20:24

How much cb do you get?

Original poster
Bunnytot · 14/08/2024 20:32

£170 every 4 weeks

OP posts:
Original poster
Bunnytot · 14/08/2024 20:34

I'm thinking of contacting them but just wanted to find out if it was the norm for the c/b receiving parent to pay for all the children's essentials first.

OP posts:
GoldieFurEverywhere · 14/08/2024 20:37

Bunnytot · 14/08/2024 20:34

I'm thinking of contacting them but just wanted to find out if it was the norm for the c/b receiving parent to pay for all the children's essentials first.

It goes in the 'pot' of the recipients general expenses. It is completely separate and nothing to do with maintenance, which you are ridiculous for only 'thinking about' contacting the CSA given he pays you zero.

HappierTimesAhead · 14/08/2024 20:38

Well he's a class A wanker and should be paying child maintenance. CB is not going to cover everything

longdistanceclaraclara · 14/08/2024 21:53

Cm? Why is he not paying?

Mickey79 · 14/08/2024 22:08

Child benefit wouldn’t even cover school lunches for secondary age children. He should be paying 50% of all clothes/ uniform/ clubs etc if 50/50 shared care. If you have majority time, put a cms claim in.

yeesh · 14/08/2024 22:12

its not up to him to “allow” you to claim child benefit, if the children live with you most of the time then it belongs to you and he wouldn’t be entitled to it anyway due to his earnings. He should be paying much more than he is in child maintenance, so put in a claim with CMS

Needmorelego · 14/08/2024 22:20

Does he actually realise that CB isn't very much money - like actual genuine in he doesn't know the amount (it's amazing how many people don't know).
I have one child so currently receive just over £100 every 4 weeks.
It goes into my account on a Tuesday and doing a fairly medium size food/household shop means there's about £35 left by Thursday 😂

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