i don't think i'm getting child benefit or tax credits or my child trust fund....

[dancingtina]

Has just dawned on me that my baby is 15wks old and I've not had any info on

Child Benefit
Child Tax Credits
Child Trust Fund voucher

Is it too early yet?

Am I supposed to chase these things up myself?

How does the government/local authority/DSS know I've had a baby?

baby is registered with GP and NHS and I've been getting all the vaccination appointments etc.

Anyone know?

You should have had the CB forms when you registered the birth. The tax credits people you will have to contact.

Child benefit, think you should have received the application form when you registered the birth and it will only get backdated 3 months so you may miss out. Ring them asap if not.

Surely you have registered your baby's name and got birth certificate? You will need this to claim for benefits.
Go to your local job centre for leaflets to send off or speak to health visitor. Yes you do have to do it yourself.

As for child trust fund - I thought every child got sent a letter, not sure when.

In our area you receive the CB forms in the bounty pack that you are given on the ward after birth. As I didn't go to the ward, I came straight home, no one thought to give me the pack and i had to go to the benefits office and pick up the forms.

all the child trust fund/child benefit info was in the bounty pack from the hospital.

Child tax credit, you have to apply by phoning for a claim form, number should be in yellow pages.

oh geez, right, dancing tina off to dig out birth certificate stuff and see if there's any forms in there....what have i done with the birth certificate - anyone know?? lol....

You can do child benefit online, or you use the form in the bounty pack. Once you get it you will get your trust fund voucher. Tax credits you must apply for, if you ring the tax helpline (again look online) then they will send you the forms.