Child benefit whilst on maternity leave

[Rapha]

Wonder if anyone can help? I am due to go on maternity leave May 2015. For the financial year my income will be less than the threshold at which I can claim child benefit . My question is when do I when do I start claiming it? Is it paid retrospectively or can I start at the beginning of this tax year ? I have two older children. Thanks in advance.

My child tax credits and working tax credits were based on my previous years income. Once my award was made I then phoned them up and gave them an estimate of my earnings for the year and they adjusted it. They were really helpful on the phone.

Oh and child benefit is paid from when the baby is born? Sorry if I have misunderstood your post

Anyone can claim at any time and repay via self assessment. It would make sense, therefore, to claim in April and adjust later if necessary. You cannot claim retrospectively, at least not by much.

Thanks for the info!