Son moved in child benefit

downnotout

My son has moved back in with me, so how do I go about claiming child benefit? And how long will it take to sort out if my ex won't play ball?

nannytone_2

if your ex is still claiming child benefit for your son it can take forever to sort out.
where is your son registered for school/doctors/dentist?

downnotout

I registered him at the drs today and a school. He starts on Monday. Also what about tax credits? Do I tell them now or wait until child benefit is sorted? Thanks for your help.

zagfles

Tell your ex to inform child ben and tax credits that your son is no longer living with him/her, and that if he/she doesn't, say you'll report him/her for benefit fraud. Once done it should be straightforwards for you to claim.

Don't forget to claim for child maintenance as well.

downnotout

Child maitainence haha his sister lives with me (and my boy has only lived with her for the last 9 months) and she has never worked so she has never paid. I have been giving her £250 a month for my son whilst she ignores her arrears. Might ring them tomorrow to update them, what about tax credits do I tell them now or when cb is sorted?

downnotout

I will ring them in the morning then thanks.

jetplane

Make a claim for child benefit and tax credits now. HMRC will write to your ex and if they ignore the letter they will make the decision to pay you. But as nannytone said this can take months to sort out but don't delay the claim.

downnotout

How many moths are we talking realistically? Just so that I can get an idea of how long I'm going to struggle? Thanks in advance.

jetplane

A new CB claim can take 12 weeks 16 if there are complications. In an ideal situation your ex would contact HMRC and tell them of the change, next best is that they answer the letter confirming you have custody, worst is that they ignore HMRC who will write twice to ensure the letter has been received If HMRC do not receive a reply they then make their own decision and pay you. It should be backdated and HMRC would pursue your ex for recovery of overpaid benefits.