Benefits

We have the Decree Nisi, but not the Absolute as we are doing the Ancillary Relief.We separated on 6/4 and the Court made a Shared Residence Order on 27/8, to be reviewed on 18/12 as they want to know that I have remained abstinent from alcohol. At the moment I have the children one night one weekend and three the next, and 8 school holiday weeks out of 13. I work part-time as a teacher, earn £869 a month. Child benefit stopped in 12/12 as my husband earns £89,000 p.a. What benefits am I entitled to? Can I get child benefit? Any others? Now? Do I have to wait for Decree Absolute? I went on benefit.gov, but find it confusing and could go back on it if someone could help me first.Thank you

I wouldn''t think you would get CB as you say your stbx earns over the treshold and has the majority of care. You may be entitled to Working tax credit but you really need to do on the site.

If you''re on good terms, you CAN get child benefit for your child under your circumstances but it''s more complicated. It will probably require the consent of your ex.

The HMRC rules on receiving child benefit when your child doesn''t live with you are:

Who can get Child Benefit?
If you''re responsible for a child, you can normally get Child Benefit for them - even if you''re not their parent.
You can get Child Benefit even if your child doesn''t live with you, as long as:

you pay towards their upkeep

what you pay is at least the same as the amount of Child Benefit

the person your child lives with is not getting Child Benefit for them

If you and another person both claim Child Benefit for the same child, only one of you can get it.

With the high income charge, a person can choose to either receive the child benefit, and then pay the equivalent amount in additional tax, or to stop receiving child benefit altogether. If your ex is doing the former, you won''t be able to get child benefit. If he''s doing the latter then you may be able to get it.

Perhaps you could reach an agreement with your ex, maybe in exchange for increased maintenance?

If you were to get child benefit you would probably be entitled to child tax credits as well. You would get working tax credits if you get child benefit and work 16 hours per week.

If you don''t get the child benefit but work more than 30 hours per week then you may be able to get working tax credit in your own right.

If you rent your property you may get housing benefit, but with your income it seems unlikely unless your rent is very high. You may get some council tax benefit even with your income. You would also get the single person''s discount on your council tax if you are the only adult in your house liable to pay council tax.