Child Benefit question: will we get the higher or lower rate?

[NotActuallyAMum]

DP and I are applying for Child Benefit now that his dd is living with us. Her Mum has of course been getting it previously, she will have had the lower rate because she has an elder dd but will we get the higher rate? I think we should because neither of us have ever claimed it before but we're not sure how it works. I've looked on the website but their Q&A section doesn't cover our situation

Just wondered if anyone knew what we would get

you get the higher rate for the eldest child only ....
so if she is the only child you are claiming for i think you shiuld get the higher rate...
its not much more than what the other rate is so dont get too excited .lol.

lol joec

That's what we thought, think it's about £17 as opposed to about £11 so every bit helps, as they say

Yes you will - bizarrely if people split up it is beneficial for each parent to claim for at least one child each and they end up £20 better off a month (couldn't trust my ex though). I think the idea is that it will cover the overheads of bringing up a family.

Thanks rach69 I really must get the forms completed....

This is all assuming that her Mum will agree that there's been a 'change of circumstances' when they contact her. Don't quite know what we're going to do if she doesn't but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it