I have a client who has claimed child benefit and has been told that the claim could take 12 weeks to be paid. Knock on effect to Tax Credits, and other benefits. Client is uncle to two children. Children's mother died, and father already deceased. ChB have copy of mother's death certificate.(Also has been advised to enquire about guardian's allowance)

Any suggestions on how to speed this one along?

No need for there to be a knock-on effect to CTC so long as your client can show the child is normally living with him or he has the main responsibility for them.

If you go to your local tax office and say that you are really struggling financially they can make an interim payment so long as the applications have been received. There is not right to the payment and it is at their discretion but it has worked on the odd occassion.

TCO now seem to be saying that for anti-fraud reasons they will not pay CTC unless CB is in payment as a matter of internal policy, although there is no legal basis for this.

We've had a run of these recently. Does anyone know why CB claims are suddenly taking so long to be processed? Knock on effect on TC and SSMG is causing a real problem. I've written to CB to complain on behalf of 2 clients in the past week- it doesn't help that CB are so uncooperative when it comes to speaking to 3rd parties even where TC689 has been faxed (see previous postings).