Child Support v Child Benefit

Good afternoon, I need some help with regards to child support.
I separated from my ex in 2008 and have never claimed any child support from him (never made a CSA application), if I were to apply now would he be liable for all the unpaid child support since 2008?
We have 2 children and they leave with me and see him on Sundays, occasionally they stay for the weekend.
When we separated because he was earning a lot less than me he asked me if he could keep our daughter’s child benefit so that he could afford to feed and treat the kids when he saw them.
I understand that I cannot claim child support from him for the period that he has been receiving our daughter’s child benefit, is that true?

I think that you can only claim from the date you make the claim so no you cannot backdate it to 2008, that was what I was told when I put in a claim for CSA (which I think for new claims is now called CMS or something like that

New child support cases are handled by the child maintenance Service now rather than the CSA. Under the rules the parent with care is normally determined by which parent is in receipt of Child Benefit and usually the parent with responsibility for the majority of the day-to-day care qualifies for Child Benefit. Child support cannot be backdated before the time the Child Maintenance Service receives an application so you cannot claim any arrears before then.

Thank you!!!!!!!

Child benefit credits your pension rights too you have list out on these contributions as a result It may seem unimportant now be may be very relevant when you reach retirement age.

I''M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT, DOES THIS MEAN THAT BY NOT RECEIVING ONE OF MY CHILDREN''S CB I MIGHT BE GETTING LESS MONEY FROM MY STATE PENSION?

No.

Basically you need a certain number of NI payments or "stamps" to get a full state pension.

If you don''t earn enough to pay NI but claim CB, even for one child, you will be treated as if you have paid and get a "stamp".