Child Benefit -what now?

UsetheFORCE

I hope things are going to stay amicable between you and the ex as wouldn't be surprised if things sour that you'll be screwed over by the CSA.

CB is an important indicator should you have shared care as it allows you to claim maintenance off your ex.

If you did most day to day care, why are you having such an issue with custody? Surely you should be considered PWC?

Anyway, just my thoughts...

AnxiousMum

On the application form, doesn't it ask 'do you have a child who resides with you'......and if there are changes to circumstances (ie, child no longer living with you) then you are obligated to let them know. Think what you might find if you continue claiming, is that your ex will then be dinged the extra tax off of their monthly pay come next financial year.

You do not have primary care of the child, and morally......you are not entitled to 'free money' to hand over to your ex claiming that you are paying child support. But hey - it's the benefits system, there's got to be a loophole somewhere, and then there's the people that will find them!

UsetheFORCE

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/...meone-else.htm
If your child lives with more than one person
Only one household can get Child Tax Credit for a child.
You might look after a child who sometimes lives with you and sometimes lives with someone else. You can't both get Child Tax Credit for the same child, so you'll have to decide who should get it.
You can't claim Child Tax Credit if your child doesn't live with you at all - even if you're paying maintenance.
If you can't agree who'll claim
If you can't agree who'll get the Child Tax Credit, both of you should claim for the child. Then the Tax Credit Office will decide for you. They'll contact both of you so that they can work out who has main responsibility for the child. They will consider things that include the number of days the child lives with you, and where they keep most of their clothes and toys.
If you're already getting Child Tax Credit for your child
Someone else might make a claim for a child you're getting Child Tax Credit for. If this happens, the Tax Credit Office may ask you to tell them why you think you have main responsibility for that child.
If you can't agree who should get the Child Tax Credit, the Tax Credit Office will decide for you. You'll still keep getting paid while they make their decision.

The person your child lives with has an income of more than £50,000
If you get Child Benefit for a child who lives with someone else, that person may be liable to the High Income Child Benefit charge. But this is only if all of the following apply:
you give the other person contributions towards the child's upkeep
what you contribute is worth at least as much as the Child Benefit you get for the child
both you and your partner have an individual income below £50,000
the other person has an individual income of more than £50,000

taken from post #15 of https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/58369139#Comment_58369139

It would seem it is perfectly legal....no need to hand the money over, not only are you going to get the money but maybe also have less conditions attached for the payment of WTC???