Child Benefit

If you were claiming Child Benefit before you split up

Because only one person can claim child benefit – if you were claiming Child Benefit before you broke up, you won't need to do anything.

Your ex-partner was claiming Child Benefit

You can switch who claims Child Benefit if:

• your ex-partner was claiming Child Benefit
• you're now going to be looking after your children

To switch your claim, your ex-partner should contact the Child Benefit Office and explain that they no longer want to claim. You will then have to make a new claim for Child Benefit.

If neither you or your ex-partner claimed Child Benefit

You can make a new claim for Child Benefit or find out more about who can claim Child Benefit from GOV.UK.