Child Benefit application rejected

zkaro

I just received rejected application for ChildBenefit (CB1) with reason:

"Under Child Benefit Regulations, where a child resides with both parents, CB is paid to the mother."

Employee in the Intreo center verified my application before submitting, and confirmed that I could apply as a father.

I wasn't able to find any regulation that matches the reply that I got. Where I could read that regulation?

I wasn't able to find anything related when searched here: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/ResultsTitle.html?q=child+benefit

Princess Calla

I think historically children's allowance was introduced as the dads were the main "breadwinner" and mums stayed at home. However what was happening at the time, it was the norm to be paid weekly and often in the pub, so wages were spent before the men made it home. (Obviously not every man but enough for the state to step in)

The children's allowance was introduced so that women could actually feed and clothe their kids. It was the states way of ensuring women had some money.

Would it not just be easier for the mum to claim it rather than jumping through hoops to get it paid to yourself?

TooTired123

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/62b5c5-operational-guidelines-child-benefit/

There’s a link in there to the legislation but you’ll have to trawl through it yourself but here’s a brief of it :

If the child is living with its mother and the mother isn’t seriously incapacitated in any way, then the mother will be paid the CB. If she has no bank account she can pick it up in the PO.

zkaro

Thank you.