Tax Credits/ Child Benefit help please

MiniMoo

My step daughter has recently moved in with us due to problems at home.
We contacted tax credits and child benefit both whom said make a claim for her so we did about 4 weeks ago now.

Called child benefit they have told me it is with rival claims as her mum was claiming obviously and they will write to her etc then back to us. We called tax credits and her mum has told them that she is still living with her............. and now it has gone to a specialist to deal with.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Obviously mum is telling tax credits fibs as step daughter has been with us for near 6 weeks.
What will they look for to find out if mum is lying. We havent been able to change her school yet due to hols but first day the schools open the forms are being taken in etc and that is being dealt with.

Sorry if i have confused anyone i'm confused myself
Thanks
Moo x

Vader123

I think its just a waiting game I'm afraid. CT/CB don't know either of you so they will investigate.

I would keep ringing to check on the progress and make a note of date/time etc.
Vader

DX2

If there is a dispute over the responsibility of a child or young person due to their shared care, in the first instance it is for the claimants to decide who has main responsibility. If the claimants are unable to decide who has main responsibility, you will have to make that decision based on the information they give you.

The two tests used to decide who has main responsibility for a child or young person are

• The main responsibility test. The person who has main responsibility for the child or young person

And

• The normally living with test. The person who the child or young person normally lives with or spends more time with

When you are making a decision on disputes over who has main responsibility for a child or young person or the shared care of a child or young person, you will have to ask the claimants for information about who has main responsibility for them.
Note: When contacting the claimants, you must state that you need further information to confirm the information already held on the computer. You must not discuss or mention other claims when you contact the claimants, otherwise you will be in breach of the Data Protection Act.

There are several factors you need to consider when deciding who has main responsibility for a child or young person

• Where they physically live

• Any court orders in force covering arrangements for their care

• Their official address

• Where they go to school and who the school regards as the person to contact

• The location of their doctor and whose address is registered with the doctor

• Where their personal possessions are kept

• Where they stay when they are ill

Where the main responsibility is finely balanced you may also need to take account of the financial effects on both parties of awarding or denying entitlement and whether the decision might impact on the ability to provide assistance and maintain contact.
Note: When you are looking at disputed or shared care cases, you must not use Child Benefit as a determining factor. The receipt of Child Tax Credit is not dependent on the receipt of Child Benefit

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ntcmanual/applica_appl_wl/ntc0050230.htm

MiniMoo

Thanks for the replies.

Basically its sit tight and hope they see that she is actually living with us.

Thanks again.
Moo x