Child benefit when working abroad

Francesanne

A family member who's an Irish citizen has lived in this country for the last 4 years with his non European wife & 2 children (neither born in the UK). He's about to leave the country to work on a year's contract in China. Where does he stand regarding child benefit & should he notify the relevant authorities that he's going to be working & living abroad with his family.Can anyone confirm legal situation?

Oldernotwiser

You cannot normally claim child benefit when the claimant doesn't live in the UK.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCreditsandChildBenefit/Childbenefits/Gettingstarted/ChildBenefitandwhoqualifies/DG_173532

hermanmunster_3

not sure that he should expect to get child benefit - not uk citizen, kids not Uk born, wife not uk citizen and he is working abroad.... so on that basis we should be paying it to just about anyone in the world!!

[Deleted User]

hermanmunster wrote: »

not sure that he should expect to get child benefit - not uk citizen, kids not Uk born, wife not uk citizen and he is working abroad.... so on that basis we should be paying it to just about anyone in the world!!

Not the world but the whole of the EEA if they're resident in the UK
Dont matter if they're not UK citizens.
One of the 'cuts' the torydems should consider imao!

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/BeginnersGuideToBenefits/DG_10035686

Deepmistrust

hermanmunster wrote: »

not sure that he should expect to get child benefit - not uk citizen, kids not Uk born, wife not uk citizen and he is working abroad.... so on that basis we should be paying it to just about anyone in the world!!

Just as absurd if EU citizens working here, whilst their children and families remain in their native countries are entitled to claim CB for their children. As CB is costed on the cost of living IN BRITAIN, I fail to see how this is fair. I know EU migrants are contributing via tax and insurance, but surely their children should have to actually live here to qualify.

AnxiousMum

If the family is moving to China, are they by chance working for a UK company while there?

If not, would they not have to apply for anything they might be eligible for in China? I know if you move from here to say, Canada, there is a reciprocal agreement that you would qualify for the child benefit portion of the child tax credits as there is an agreement between the two countries. Given that he is from Ireland though - I would imagine he'd have to see if there was an agreement between Ireland and China.

Francesanne

AnxiousMum wrote: »

If the family is moving to China, are they by chance working for a UK company while there?

If not, would they not have to apply for anything they might be eligible for in China? I know if you move from here to say, Canada, there is a reciprocal agreement that you would qualify for the child benefit portion of the child tax credits as there is an agreement between the two countries. Given that he is from Ireland though - I would imagine he'd have to see if there was an agreement between Ireland and China.

I believe it's a Canadian company he's going to work for.

Francesanne

hermanmunster wrote: »

not sure that he should expect to get child benefit - not uk citizen, kids not Uk born, wife not uk citizen and he is working abroad.... so on that basis we should be paying it to just about anyone in the world!!

Made no mention of him expecting to receive child benefit. Just curious about the legal situation.