Child benefit - did you know!

[user1471464702]

Hi everyone- this has really surprised me and wanted to raise this issue to make other lone parents aware - knowledge is power and also exposes a huge loop hole in the benefit system here and currently under publicised or discussed.

It seems that child benefit can be paid to either parent, and not just the parent with residency main custody it’s apparently per child.

A controlling and abusive working ex has applied for child benefit for one of four children and been accepted, having them for less than 50% of the time and not registered at their address for school etc . This is when they do not live there full time or even have 50-50 custody. So shocking that I feel parents should be aware, even the CSA are confused and the law Actually says That only one parent can claim - this loophole leads to further abuse and control of women by abusive partners of income - even when not living with partner or children and with standard Wednesday and every other weekend access which is ‘standard’ for many - very worrying indeed - any lawyers or specialists out there to advise, please write to ministers to raise this issue and have a clear message that financial abuse can continue in so many different ways - this parent works full time is a teacher and pleading poverty earful ☹️

Awful but an earful typo

You can and should contest it.
I advise you to visit or contact citizens advice for help with it.

Did the mother already claim CB for all 4 children? She can re apply for the CB as a counter claim, like he has done,which will go to a dispute and be looked at. What advice has mum had so far, spoken to HMRC, seen anyone at CAB or Gingerbread?

The parent with care can contest the other parents claim.

It's not a case of a new claim is submitted & the current claim is cancelled without checking which is what you're suggesting!

If a new claim is submitted whilst a current claim is in place HMRC write to the current claimant to advise them a new claim has been made & request that they contact HMRC to advise them if they think the new claim is false.

If the current claimant has a child arrangements order stating that they have residency/are the parent with care then they should send a copy of this.

What shocks me is that free school meals can be awarded even where the parents are divorced and the children are living with the parent who has their own, very successful business with several employees on the payroll, because the other parent is unemployed.

The other parent can claim if they are making payment of the same or greater amount than the child benefit amount. Only one person can claim for an individual child. She could counter claim and then it will be decided by CB who should get the money.

They shouldn't have just switched the payment though if she was claiming already.

Thanks for all the advice she did counter the decision it’s been turned down so appealing ☹️

Send as much proof that the child stays with her :)

CB rules say:

You could continue to get payments for more than 8 weeks if you contribute to your child’s upkeep by the same amount or more than theChild Benefit payment.

Upkeep includes clothes, presents, food and pocket money and financial contributions to provide your child with somewhere to live.

(Its crap but that's what the rules say)

Hi the award was made for this one child even though the existing CB claiming parent explained the child does not live with new claimant to child benefit colleagues or does he have them 50% of the time or contribute financially in any other way -?they made the decision based on his application so might answer your above question - good points about Hmrc appeal might work maybe not

thanks 😊

Copies of all court orders contact etc submitted - a specialist dept were meant to be involved due to history of domestic abuse coercive behaviour - in a way it is further undermining her abilities as a mother and maybe he is working so seen in a more favourable light food for thought

So child is with mum and mum has a lot of restrictions on her ability to work due to childcare?

So mum wont be making a lot/any N.I contributions for her state pension. Yet dad is presumably working full time and paying N.I whilst topping up a private pension? Fucked up

If he can show that he is spending £20 or more per week on that child then he may get to keep the CB even if they dont live with him.

I'd still appeal though, can't hurt

Thanks

Yes mo that’s what I thought too cannot work and studying too so trying to get a brewer job when childcare is arranged affordable and available

Brewer meant better meh