Claiming NI Years / Transferring Child Benefit

all4one

Hi, I'll try to be as brief and to the point as possible.

2013 - Baby son born to wife who came here legally in 2011, I started to claim Child Benefit in MY name but sent to her bank account as I guessed it would be easier that way.

Around 2016 I started to earn more than the 50k allowed so I stopped claiming Child Benefit.

2025 - Was made redundant (still am) and whilst looking at the wifes Years of contribution noticed many missing or not full, I realised the child benefit was not in her name and tried to claim back years (so now 12yo) - the lady at HMRC told me all good and that was going through.

2026 - I looked at her Years contributions again and they were still the same, phoned HRMC and was told I was sent a letter claiming this could'n't be done !?

I have no record of the letter and dont understand why I cant transfer, Ive done nothing wrong except maybe claim in my name from the beginning - I notified them when my salary went over 50k etc??

This will be alot of money to her as she has no private pension and no savings and seems very unfair as Ive played by the rules, what can I do ? What dept. do I need to speak too ?

Thanks in advance

Woodstok2000

You can use the form here to apply, but as standard you can only apply for the previous tax year, not going back multiple years: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/print-and-post/form/NICs_iForms/1.0/CF411A/cf411a.xdp

You can request a transfer of additional credits, but you'd need to explain why your wife didn't claim at the time, and there's no guarantee HMRC would approve it.

Here's the text from the website on the time limits for application:

Your application should be made before the end of the tax year (5 April) following the relevant period for which you want to transfer the credits. For example, if the transfer period is in the 2016 to 2017 tax year you should apply for a transfer before 5 April 2018.

If the time limit has passed still complete the application form giving the reason why you did not apply on time. If the circumstances are reasonable HMRC can still award the credits as long as you meet the transfer conditions. These are:

•you reach State Pension age after the relevant period

•the person registered for Child Benefit cannot get credits because their earnings were equal to or above the qualifying earnings factor for that year

•you were living with the person who was registered for Child Benefit for the relevant period and you were sharing the care for a child under the age of 12

•you would have been able to register for Child Benefit if your spouse, partner or civil partner had not registered for it

p00hsticks

2013 - Baby son born to wife who came here legally in 2011

Was a condition of her coming her that she is NRPF (No Recourse to Public Funds) ?

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6681986/claiming-ni-years-transferring-child-benefit

Did you ask for a copy of the letter to be sent to you?

People on here can guess but HMRC can answer you fully.

all4one

Ill try and get a copy of the letter, as for recourse to funds I don't see why that would be as everything was done properly but good point I need to look into.

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82126426#Comment_82126426

It would say it on her immigration documents.