Home > Children & Money > Legal Entitlement to Child Benefit and Tax Credits

Legal Entitlement to Child Benefit and Tax Credits

By: Lorna Elliott LLB (hons), Barrister - Updated: 28 Jun 2021 |
 
Child Benefit Claim Government Interest

Child benefit is available to anyone with children under 16 and is payable either monthly or weekly. There is no means test, which means that it is available regardless of your savings or income. Parents and guardians can claim for child benefit for children who are:

  • Under the age of 16
  • Over the age of 16 and under the age of 20 but are in education or training
  • Under the age 18 and have recently left education or training, but they must have registered for work, education or training with a careers service, Connexions, Ministry of Defence or similar

How Much Is Child Benefit?

This depends on how many children you have. If you have one child, the rate is £20.70 per week. If you have more than one child, each subsequent child (not including the first born) will attract £13.70 each per week. Most people receive this money once a month, although those on benefits such as Income Support, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance are able to receive child benefit weekly. Single parents are also entitled to receive child benefit on a weekly basis.

Does My Child Have To Live With Me?

It is not necessary for your child to live with you in order for you to claim, although you will have to show that you contribute towards the upkeep of your child, and that you pay at least the amount of child benefit towards that upkeep. If a child lives between two households, only one person claim for child benefit on behalf of that child – it is not possible to claim twice or split entitlement.

Child Tax Credits

If you are working, and are responsible for a child (or children) you may be entitled to receive child tax credit. Those who are on low wages (approximately less than £17,400 per annum) may be eligible for working tax credit. Contrary to popular myth you do not actually need to have children in order to claim working tax credit.

Nine out of ten families in the UK qualify for tax credits. The amount that you receive will depend on several factors: the number of children in your household; the amount of hours you work each week; whether you pay for childcare costs; whether you are over 50 years old; and whether any of your children suffer from a disability.

Child Trust Funds

The Child Trust Fund (CTF), a government initiative which gave every child born between 1st September 2002 and 2nd January 2011 a £250 financial start in life, has now been scrapped. Babies born on or after 3 January 2011 do not receive any CTF payments.

CTFs that are already in place will continue to benefit from this tax-free investment, and it will still be possible for parents to make a contribution to their child's account, as long as no contributions amount to more than £1,200 per annum. The fund cannot be accessed until the child reaches the age of 18.

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Hi, I'm a 17 year old that is taking 1 year of college in replacement for work and I'm reciveing an average of £1000 a month, my mun revives child benefit for my and my two younger siblings; because of my work will the child benefit for stopped and who for.
Michael - 28-Jun-21 @ 11:56 PM
Hi I’m a mother of an 18 year old who is in full time education and also has a part time job do I need to stop claiming child tax credits?
Keely - 15-May-21 @ 3:03 PM
if my ex wife dont claim ctc for our daughter can i claim for her she stays at mine and has clothes etc there pay for clothes food ect mobile costs
mc746 - 29-Apr-21 @ 8:51 PM
Hi. I’m a currently full time student. 18 years old I’ve been living with my auntie for a while now. She’s on low income, and does not work. My auntie gets child benefits & child tax benefits. I never see any money get spent on me and I have to pay for everything down to a tooth brush and left with nothing. I have to give my auntie 20% because I have a part time job. I feel like the money is going on her and her family. What can be done about this and is this right?
Puppy - 25-Apr-21 @ 12:43 AM
Have 2 children who I receive child benefits universal credit and disability benefit (they both disabled) at the moment they stay with there dad 1 night a week he’s wants them 3 nights a week which is fine how do we spilt the money legally he doesn’t want to accept the money from me as I claim all the children’s money because I’m there main carer
Kate - 17-Apr-21 @ 9:57 PM
My husbands 2 children will be moving in with us soon, who would claim the child benefit for them, me or him?
Bumble - 20-Mar-21 @ 8:32 AM
Hello could you tell me if my 18yr old full time student claims universal credit will I loose any benefits like child benefit or family tax credit? Please? Alicia.
Rita - 20-Feb-21 @ 4:00 PM
My son moved out in July 2020, to live with his dad,I cancelled him off my child benefit claim,and his dad made a new claim for him,in September 2020 he didn't return to further education,but as far as I aware his dad still claimed benefits for him,in January 2021 his dad passed away, and my son came back to live with us,can I put him back on my child benefit claim, , any advice would be much appreciated Thanks
L.D - 7-Feb-21 @ 1:21 PM
Hi I have sgo of my 2 nieces the 16 year old is now pregnant and in full time education can I still claim special guardian allowance
Heidi - 31-Jan-21 @ 1:52 PM
I am 18. I moved out of my mums house and moved in with my boyfriend and his family. My mum does not contribute to my food or financially support me. I am in full time education. Can child benefit payments be paid direct to me
Rose46 - 25-Jan-21 @ 1:13 AM
My daughter has separated from her husband he receives CB for her daughter that live with her full time he hands over £80 to a month can my daughter claim the CB he also only pays her £1?0 a month child matinance she works 16hrs a week where does she stand
Bailey nanny - 7-Nov-20 @ 9:18 PM
St the moment the only thing we receive in benefits is tax credits but in the not to distant future we are gonna have to claim housing so will have to claim universal credits. From what Iv heard that prospect terrifies me but unsure of a few things. My daughter is nearly 18 but will still be in full time education for the next couple of years. If she gets a part time job as well and I’m claiming housing will that effect my claim Ty
Mum - 22-Oct-20 @ 10:05 PM
My children stay with their father at night but spend most day time care with me this is Monday to Friday early morning to evening I provide their clothing their 3 meals a day and I'm responsible for picking them up and dropping them home. I'm on benifit universal credit of £319 per month and pay him the low rate of child maintenance£8.40 per week for the 2 children. I recive a reduced rate of £258 due to having loans which has helped me to keep seeing my children he works full time and is in a well paid job. For this reason I can't see why I can't claim this benifit as I carry more of the financial burden for my children. Please could someone advise me
Carrie - 8-Oct-20 @ 7:07 AM
My children stay with their father at night but spend most day time care with me this is Monday to Friday early morning to evening I provide their clothing their 3 meals a day and I'm responsible for picking them up and dropping them home. I'm on benifit universal credit of £319 per month and pay him the low rate of child maintenance£8.40 per week for the 2 children. I recive a reduced rate of £258 due to having loans which has helped me to keep seeing my children he works full time and is in a well paid job. For this reason I can't see why I can't claim this benifit as I carry more of the financial burden for my children.
Carrie - 8-Oct-20 @ 7:03 AM
I’ve had my daughter living with me for nearly 6 months she doesn’t want to live back with her mam who still claims child benefit for her. I have received no help or income and don’t know where to seek help. I’ve rang child benefit and still waiting whilst getting forms sent out to fill in still. I feel as no help is out there and get passed from pillar to post daily. What and who do I speak with as this is becoming ridiculous. My daughter and I are sharing a friends one bedroom flat. Can anyone help?
Wesley - 17-Aug-20 @ 2:44 PM
My partner died 3years ago his son moved in with me and I get family allowance for him which stops in September when he will be 19. He is at college and going to university is there any more benefits that I am entitled to? Thank you
Sheronasmum - 28-Jul-20 @ 11:09 PM
My children live with me 4 nights out of 7. It’s all finalised in a court order. I have child benefit and tax credits for them and work part time. My ex husband is now saying he wants to challenge the benefits and is going to get half. By saying that one child is with him, Can he do this to me? Thank you in advance.
Wilhay - 28-Jul-20 @ 6:09 PM
If my grandchild was to stay with me 3 or 4 nights a week and I claim dla for them would it affect the parents housing benifits
Annie - 23-Jun-20 @ 7:25 PM
I live with my two children and my brother now 18 year brother who is in full time education his course will finish next year. Now they are on break and he wants to start a full time job on till school reopens will it affect my benefits.
Holyone - 13-Jun-20 @ 3:15 AM
My 14 year old brother has been living with me last 2 months now, he will not go home and his mother will not let him home but she is still claiming benefits for him?? As this seems to be a longterm fixture can i claim benefits for him?? If so how do i go about this??
Th - 19-Mar-20 @ 10:38 PM
My daughter has cone to live with me after her and her mums relationship broke down, I revive no financial support from my ex am I entitled to any payments ?
Lfc - 5-Mar-20 @ 5:56 PM
My daughter has recently been removed from her full time course due to illness and hospital appointments and procedures. She is currently 16 and is now seeking further training or employment. I am currently in receipt of tax credits as I am employed. How will this affect the tax credit award and if it does what are our options. Regards
Kjc - 12-Feb-20 @ 10:27 PM
My son has just got full parental responsibility for his son. Were confused as to whether he claims universal credits/Tax credits. Very confusing??
woo - 12-Feb-20 @ 11:57 AM
Hi, me and my partner are in the process of splitting up. He wants us to split having the kids by having them 3 days/night 1 week then 4 days/nights the next week and vice versa for me. He said I won't be able to claim the full child tax credits is that right? I'm struggling as it is as he's now put me and himself in debt and is leaving me in a rented house which is £200 a month over my budget. I have no money for me to move out of either.
Sarah - 4-Feb-20 @ 10:37 AM
As a single mother is it rightthat i £350 amonth to live on with my2 year old daughteris this allowed
Char - 17-Jan-20 @ 10:50 AM
I have two children however my eldest 18 year old will be leaving school in August and will no longer claim child benefit. Will my 6 year old then receive the eldest/only child allowance for child benefit? And if this the case will this change happen automatically?
Hev - 11-Jan-20 @ 12:13 AM
I'm 18 and at college I've left home and want to start claiming my own child tax credits for myself as 8m still entitled to and not my parent.
Loops - 6-Jan-20 @ 9:42 PM
I've just left home and my dad still claims my child tax credits as I'm in full time education I'm 18yrs old, how do I change this? I want to claim it for myself now as I'm entitled to it not him
Loops - 6-Jan-20 @ 9:40 PM
My children live with their mum and she claims Child Tax and benefits but we split when they were with us, so I have them 3-4 nights a week and so does she. Would I be able to claim some benefits as well?
Ads - 4-Jan-20 @ 4:04 PM
My husband is in receipt of DLA, ESA (I am his full time carer, for which I receive Care Allowance) Our daughter turns 16 in Jan 2020, will she qualify for EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance)
Meg - 10-Dec-19 @ 6:53 PM
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