child benefit for both parents

Mojisola

merlin68 wrote: »

Is it really worth the grief over a tenner.

CB is a gateway benefit that opens up the possibility of claiming other benefits. It can mean a lot more than a tenner.

FBaby

Mojisola wrote: »

CB is a gateway benefit that opens up the possibility of claiming other benefits. It can mean a lot more than a tenner.

Indeed, especially with a family with only one partner working and three children...it does make you wonder, considering how much in a hurry the OP and her partner were to try to get it moved over...

FBaby

Actually, this makes me think, on the assumption that the child's mother is not able to claim much tax credits and will potentially lose CB whereas you could claim CB and a significant amount of child credit for this child, would you be prepared to share half with the mother? If so, that might persuade her...

lucyj2011

merlin68 wrote: »

Is it really worth the grief over a tenner.

it is worth more than a tenner. it would mean we can claim tax credits which would help cover childcare costs as my step-son goes to school miles from where my kids do. its practicalities like this we want the money for. not to just cause more trouble...

lucyj2011

FBaby wrote: »

Actually, this makes me think, on the assumption that the child's mother is not able to claim much tax credits and will potentially lose CB whereas you could claim CB and a significant amount of child credit for this child, would you be prepared to share half with the mother? If so, that might persuade her...

this is her last bit of control over the situation she, in her mind anyway, has lost

FBaby

what bit of control??? The more I read this thread and the more it comes across as a battle over money rather than doing what is best for the child???

lucyj2011

we have faught for a year and a half for what we believe is best for the child. the arrangement that was in place before was complicated and not straight forward. even the CAFCASS officer didnt understand how it worked and stated it wasnt in his best interests.
he is entitled to spend 50% of his time with his dad, that is all we have ensured.

FBaby

But surely, if you claim CB and child tax credits for this child on the basis of having him full-time (as CB and tax credits don't recognise shared care), but only have him for 50% of the time, it is only fair that half goes to her then? If your intention is to keep it all yourself, then I can see the mum being difficult.

The only way to work this out is to come to some agreement. Is the child in afterschool club when he is with his mum? If so, maybe she can continue to pay for it all but keep CB. Or you get it all, but pay ALL the childcare? Or all his school meals/activities...

What you need to accept is that the governement is not going to split benefits, and fighting over who gets it with the intention to keep it all for their family is just not going to work...

ticktack_2

lucyj2011 wrote: »

my partner and i just won shared residency of his 6yo son yesterday. however, the mother is demanding she keep all the child benefit and that we still have to pay her maintenance. it seems soooooo unfair. my partner cared for his son from 4mnths to 5yrs old whilst the mother worked. she was (and still is) such a control freak she refused to allow the child benefit to be in his name or paid to him.

If the parents were battling over who received the Child Benefit, even before they split up, it sounds as if this current problem might have a lot to do with unresolved anger left over from their relationship. Hard on the kid. When he's older he won't thank them for fighting tooth and nail over every last minute and every last penny.

If you and your partner, and his ex, could all try to see each other's point of view, that would be less damaging for the boy. Is mediation an option?