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Child Benefit Refused

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Hi.
I am a British Citizen and my husband is Finnish.My son was born in Finland and on my return after 2 months, I sent them the Child Benefit form. I asked for a form after a few days by telephone.I also reported this change to the tax credit office who adjusted this factor and increased the weekly benefit.
My husband has now decided to stay in Finland for the reasons of his job and the child benefit agency has refused the claim because they say that my son was not born in the UK, he is not British because (his father wants him to be a Finnish citizen) and he is not present in the UK so you don't qualify. The tax credit team has also reduced the benefit.
My son was with me in the UK at the time of application and though I am in Finland at the present moment, he is always with me whenever I return to the UK.
What should I do? I think as a UK citizen living permanently in the UK with my son entitles me to claim child benefit even though he is not claiming British Citizenship. But I believe he is still an EU Citizen and I think Citizenship does not matter at all, residence status does.

Comments

  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    Do you work in the UK?
  • Claim the equivalent finish benefit then
  • MRSTITTLEMOUSE
    MRSTITTLEMOUSE Posts: 8,547 Forumite
    Claim the equivalent finish benefit then

    That would be the most obvious thing to do if I was the OP.
  • vroombroom
    vroombroom Posts: 1,117 Forumite
    can he not have dual nationality?
    :j:jOur gorgeous baby boy born 2nd May 2011 - 12 days overdue!!:j:j
  • Aginoth
    Aginoth Posts: 124 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    How much time does you son spend in Finland and how much in UK? is he in the UK for more than 50% of the year?
  • DX2
    DX2 Posts: 8,275 Forumite
    khan200us wrote: »
    My son was with me in the UK at the time of application and though I am in Finland at the present moment, he is always with me whenever I return to the UK.
    What should I do? I think as a UK citizen living permanently in the UK with my son entitles me to claim child benefit even though he is not claiming British Citizenship. But I believe he is still an EU Citizen and I think Citizenship does not matter at all, residence status does.
    http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/start/who-qualifies/new-arrivals-uk.htm
    *SIGH*
    :D
  • Naf
    Naf Posts: 3,183 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    He's entitled to British citizenship as dual nationality, isn't he?
    Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.
    - Mark Twain
    Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon: no matter how good you are at chess, its just going to knock over the pieces and strut around like its victorious.
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