UKC claiming Child Benefit - FLR(M) OK?

Hi everyone,

Just reading around a recent post my blood has frozen. I hope it's over nothing...

I (UKC) claim child benefit for my son, who is my partner's (USC) stepson.

I was under the impression that this is OK, because the UKC is claiming the benefit, and this is just declared on the FLR(M) - the applicant themselves isn't claiming, and the benefit itself doesn't contribute to the financial side.

Am I right in thinking this? We don't need to apply for our second FLR(M) until January-ish 2018, but I thought I should clear this up now with you guys.

If I'm not - how do I go about "undoing" it all and going back to a state where I'm not claiming it. That feels a bit unfair as the benefit is for the child, but if that's the way it has to be, so be it! It's not worth it for jeopardising our family lives.

Hi everyone,

Just reading around a recent post my blood has frozen. I hope it's over nothing...

I (UKC) claim child benefit for my son, who is my partner's (USC) stepson.

I was under the impression that this is OK, because the UKC is claiming the benefit, and this is just declared on the FLR(M) - the applicant themselves isn't claiming, and the benefit itself doesn't contribute to the financial side.

Am I right in thinking this?

Yes. You can claim benefits and can therefore claim for the child in your housedhold. As long as the Child Benefit claim is in your name only, then that is ok.

It's the Tax Credits benefit that must in joint names and that is nothing to do with Child Benefit. Two different benefits. Don't worry.

Phew, thanks very much Sirius. The child benefit is the only thing we claim --- I think I'm over any thresholds for anything like tax credits anyway, even if we would be eligible!

Thanks again for clearing that up.

Phew, thanks very much Sirius. The child benefit is the only thing we claim --- I think I'm over any thresholds for anything like tax credits anyway, even if we would be eligible!

I'm assuming you know that Child Benefit has an income threshold too now? Just in case you don't -
https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit/overview

Paying more into your pension can reduce your salary to enable a Child Benefit claim if needs be. You would have to google how that is done.

AND

If your wife isn't working enough hours to pay her NICs but ONLY when she has ILR, you could put the Child Benefit claim into her name as it will give her a credit towards a UK state pension. From 2016, UK state pensions are based only on your own contributions, with no more claiming a UK state pension via a partners contributions.

Hi Sirius,

Thanks again for the responses. I did see that about the threshold. I think I'm in a sweet spot (luckily) where I'm comfortably over the £18.6k, and a little way under that CB threshold.

Great idea about the NICs after she has ILR, although I think that'll be July 2020 at the earliest (first FLR(M) runs until the beginning of February 2018). I've been putting away into a decent private pension with transferrable benefits for a good while now, so hopefully that's all covered but that certainly couldn't hurt once we get to that stage.

Brilliant advice and can't thank you enough. If you're ever in the Hampshire area, I owe you a pint.