UK child benefit

[lorraine]

I dont know if I am the only one!!!!!!!! I didnt know that I had to give up on my sons child benefit when we left the UK. They are now asking for it all back, apparenlty once you have been out of the country 8 weeks you are no longer elligible for child benefit. Did everyone else know this???? I have been asked for it all back, it is paid direct debit into my account in the UK and I totally forgot about it, well to be honest never entered my head GROAN

[Emmalee25]

I thought you were entitled to it until you were given a visa?????
Thats what we thought anyway, will ask hubby as he is in the know!!!

Em x

[Emmalee25]

Oh Bugger!
its true!!! yup...oh crap!
Em x

[lorraine]

I know what a bummer hey,. I been getting it for year and half xx

[Emmalee25]

oh bugger lorraine!
how did they find you??? if you dont mind me asking?
Em x

[lorraine]

I have no idea they sent letter to my address in the UK...... Who knows? Not me????xxx

[Emmalee25]

well,
happy saving up to pay them back..lol, maybe you were reported by a jealous ex neighbour or something????
Em x

[Kriz1]

We knew when we left...
I do know of people who left a bank account open to have it paid into...but when you stop showing up on the system...taxes etc...they find you...if you don't pay it back...and have to go home...well you could be in a little trouble....its really not worth it...

[lorraine]

I just spoken with couple of friends who are also here and they didnt cancel theres either. I have business in UK and still paying tax etc so who knows how we got caughtxx

[Emmalee25]

Well,
apparently (after a quick shufty thru some UK mags) Posh and becks even claim child benefit (or they did when living in the UK) and they must have been out of the UK at more than 8 weeks per time!!! AND they are loaded and not needing 60quid per month!!!!!
If you are still paying tax i dont get why you arent entitled to be honest!!!

Its the madness of the government again!
Em x

[lorraine]

sure is I checked the web site and not entitled to it xx

[Kriz1]

Well,
apparently (after a quick shufty thru some UK mags) Posh and becks even claim child benefit (or they did when living in the UK) and they must have been out of the UK at more than 8 weeks per time!!! AND they are loaded and not needing 60quid per month!!!!!
If you are still paying tax i dont get why you arent entitled to be honest!!!

Its the madness of the government again!
Em x

It would be down to where they were at the time...if in Europe they could still claim...

[Susie]

Hi Lorraine

I had to give it back too ! I even went to see Iain Duncan Smith, my mp and went to appeal

If you return to the UK for holiday, they will reinstate for 12 weeks

[victoria]

even if you're not paying taxes & living in the US? Sorry to be one to speak for the other side but if that is the case I think that's outrageous. I'm sure you saw all the bad press expats got re saying they would have to go home to avail themselves of the NHS if they got ill, to me this amounts to the same thing. You're either in or out..

[Emmalee25]

hiya Victoria,
I knew we couldnt claim it once we lived here and had some kind of visa status, just didnt realise that you had to give it up after only 8 weeks...ive been on lots of hols for more than 8 weeks before :confused: didnt realise we had to give it up...ooops!
Em x

[lorraine]

Hi Victoria I had no idea at all and after speaking to friends they the same it really didnt even enter my head what with all the other stuff you have to do, I really didnt even think about it. x

[mark]

If your child attends school in the EU you can still claim

[lorraine]

Sue I was just reading your thread you said if you return to the UK for holiday they will renstate for 12 weeks, how long is a holiday as I just been back for nearly 3 weeks with our son also??? thanks lorrainexx