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Does Child Benefit affect your tax credits?

Child Benefit doesn't count as income if you're applying for tax credits.

Does Child Benefit affect your other benefits?

Child Benefit doesn't count as income for other benefits.

If you're claiming Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit

If you're getting Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit your Child Benefit will not be taken into account as income. But the office dealing with these benefits needs to know about your Child Benefit, so they can work out how much to give you.

When you first claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit

When you first claim these benefits you'll be asked about any children you're looking after and if you're getting Child Benefit for them. This will help the office dealing with your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit work out how much to give you.

Sometimes you might be asked for proof of your Child Benefit. This could be because there is a query over where your child normally lives, or if your child is over 16.

If you're already getting Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit

Let the office that pays your benefit know if you start to get Child Benefit for the first time. For example, if you have your first baby. It might make a difference to the amount of benefit you get.

You also need to tell them if your Child Benefit changes or stops. For example if you have another child, or your child leaves home or finishes school or college.

Contact details for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

If you’re in England, Wales or Scotland

For changes affecting your Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit contact your local council.

• Find your local council

If you're in Northern Ireland

For changes affecting your Housing Benefit:

• for tenants contact the Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• for owner occupiers contact the Land and Property Services

• Find contact details on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive website Opens new window

• Find contact details on the land and Property Services website Opens new window

More useful links

• Tax credits and other benefits

• Housing Benefit

• Council Tax Benefit

• Child Benefit - other benefits you might qualify for Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Money, tax and benefits contacts