Child Benefit (Hansard, 18 May 1998)

§ Ms Hewitt
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) under what circumstances child benefit is payable to a father in respect of a child for whom he has a residence order; [41143]
(2) in how many cases child benefit was paid to both parents in respect of children subject to a shared residence order in 1997–98; [41146]
(3) what provision is made to ensure that child benefit is payable to both parents in cases where a child is the subject of a shared residence order under the Children Act 1989. [41145]

§ Mr. Keith Bradley
The information requested is not available.
Entitlement to Child Benefit depends on a person having responsibility for a child because the child lives with them or they contribute to the cost of providing for the child. In cases where the child lives alternatively with each parent, both parents could qualify but only one of them can be entitled for the same child in the same week.
287W
Where competing claims are received in respect of the same child, legislation provides for priority of entitlement. Where the care of a child is shared equally between two parents who are not residing together they may jointly elect which of them shall receive the benefit. In the absence of an election the Secretary of State may decide which of them shall be entitled, taking a number of factors into account.
The existence of a residence order is not a requirement for entitlement to Child Benefit. It is an important factor in reaching a Secretary of State decision about entitlement, but others such as the actual time the child spends living with either parent, and the extent of expenditure incurred by each parent are also considered.

§ Ms Hewitt
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security under what circumstances child benefit is payable to an adult other than the mother of the child for whom the benefit is paid. [41151]

§ Mr. Keith Bradley
There are a variety of circumstances, usually involving the mother's absence, where Child Benefit might be paid to an adult other than the mother of the child. This could be for a temporary period, or permanently.
If the parents of a child separate, benefit will normally be paid to the parent with whom the child lives. If both of them share the care of the child equally they may jointly elect which of them is to receive the Child Benefit. In default of such an election the Secretary of State may, in her discretion, decide which of them shall be entitled.

§ Ms Hewitt
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases in 1997–98 child benefit was paid to the father. [41144]

§ Mr. Keith Bradley
The information is not available in the format requested as it is responsibility for a child rather than parenthood which give entitlement to Child Benefit.
The number of Child Benefit awards to male claimants were an estimated 273,000 as at April 1998. This represents just under 4 per cent. of the total number of awards in payment at that time.