Child Benefits Stopped 2 years ago - wrongly.

kingaliababa

Hi,

I am in full-time employment with a wage of circa £28k p.a.
My wife is part-time while looking after our 4 year old (pregnant with our 2nd), and on roughly £5k p.a.

Approx 2 years ago we filled in an earnings form to re-apply for continuation of Child Benefits. At that time, I was on £24k p.a and the wife was still on £5k p.a.

We were informed that we no longer were applicable for any Child Benefit, and lost all entitlements. While it wasn't a great amount and we can survive, every little helped. After discussion yesterday with a colleague in almost identical circumstances (actually earns just more than me), he confirmed that they still receive Child Benefit, and have had no interruptions.

Can anyone please please assist in;

a) - confirming if we are still eligible and always should have been (I'm sure we are).
b) - how we can get back-dated benefit entitlement. I mean, this is why we have both paid tax for the last 18 years each isn't it?

I'm sure only 3 month backdated benefits could be provided, but if it is their fault I really do hope this isn't applicable in this instance.

Any help truly appreciated.

FBaby

Do you mean child tax credits rather than child benefit? There is no reason why you would need fill in anything for child benefits only you were earning over £50K, so I think you mean tax credits.

The maximum a family with one child can earn to be entitled to child tax credits is £26K if there is no childcare cost, so on this basis, it would have been correct. The limit goes up after another child.

kingaliababa

To be honest, I'm going on what the Mrs told me as the money just went to her! I'll triple-check but was sure it was Child Benefits.

We don't receive either, and previously had both Child Tax & Benefits.

xylophone

Make sure you understand the difference between Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit.

https://www.gov.uk/child-tax-credit/overview

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/overview

If neither you nor your wife earns over £50,000 a year then there seems no reason for CB to have been withdrawn.

If a mistake has occurred see https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-complaints