Child Benefit: EU Nationals

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what checks are carried out to confirm eligibility of claim for child benefit made by citizens of other EU member states residing in the UK and whose children are not in the UK.

Jane Kennedy
A person making a claim for child benefit must provide documentary evidence of the child being claimed for, such as an original birth certificate, adoption certificate or passport.

All claims for child benefit are subject to a wide range of checks throughout the life of each claim. It would be inappropriate to disclose a complete list as to do so may provide assistance to those attempting to defraud the system.

Where claims are made on behalf of children living in another member state, HMRC do further checks to verify the information provided by the claimant, including verifying the composition of the family and to find out whether there are any other family benefits in payment in the other member state. HMRC and other member states have well established processes in place to ensure payments only go to those who are entitled.