Ex wants to stop me getting child benefit.

[Bringiton2019]

My ex is a complex person, with anxiety and depression. He doesn't work but lives off the rental income of his houses.

He doesn't earn enough to live in his place, so rotates between holiday let and parents.

He had to give his car up and now that leaves me having to drive DD to/from his when he has her.

He is asking if I get child benefit and I have a feeling he's going to try and get it switched to his account.

Can he do this without my consent? We're supposed to have 50/50 custody but it's more like 60/40 in my favour.

I've bought everything for my DD (I don't mind) but he can't do this to me now???

Sorry you're going through this and really sorry, but I don't know the answer.

I would ask @MNHQ to move this to Relationships. You might get some more responses in there

He can put in a rival claim and the HMRC would then have to decide which of you should recieve it.

If you have her for the majority of the time and cover the majority of the expenses they should find in your favour.

It will be a pita and you payments may stop in the meantime. I would start keeping a diary now of which days you have your duaghter and what you are buying for her. Keep reciepts.

@JiltedJohnsJulie

Thank you

@unlimiteddilutingjuice

I will do

Sounds like Dc primary residence is with you therefore child benefit goes to you.. another thing when you apply for school places the address where child benefit is paid is significant (to prevent fraud applicants) it sounds fishy. Cb is about £17 Pw ?

What reason would he give you for having the child benefit sent to him when it’s you that looks after her?

Does he even have a fixed address to give them?

Just check things like address registered at gp and school are also yours
They won't just move it to him. As others have said, they would look at both claims and decide one of you has primary residence.

If he is trying to get social housing then receiving child benefit could be of help in his application

The amount for one child is £20.70 per week

What reason would he give you for having the child benefit sent to him when it’s you that looks after her?

Because once in receipt of the ChB, he will be eligible to claim additional Universal Credit payments, housing benefit for a larger property, etc. It is a benefit that can be a passport to further benefits. Also, if OP works, the ex can then claim Child Maintenance from her if he is deemed the primary carer in receipt of the child benefit.

My ex attempted this - DWP sent me a letter advising a claim had been put in and to tell them if I didn't want it to be switched. I phoned them and they advised my ex I'd refused it and they'd have to open an investigation to decide who was entitled to it if he wished to pursue it. Of course, DC had lived with me mainly for years at this point and I could prove it - so my ex gave up as he knew he would lose at that point.

If you already get it they will stop it and investigate

If your not working you need to be able to claim it for your pension

The person in receipt of CB can put a claim in with the CMS too.

He can do, but why do you have 50/50 when he is effectively homeless? I doubt his claim is for social housing, as you mention he has property. Keep an accurate record, with evidence if needs be, secretely about how much time in reality he has your child,