Will being unable to register a birth delay a CB award, and therefore also child element in UC?

Hello
As you can’t register births currently in our LA (except still births), will this cause a delay in child elements being awarded in UC?

I was under the impression (not 100% sure) that the UC child element is awarded following an existing award of CB - they just check the CB system and if that’s not working, ask the claimant to bring in a CB letter. CB is awarded following birth registration, is it not .… which may cause a delay in new children being added to existing UC claims or the child element being paid in new UC claims.

From a DWP update:

Coronavirus and Child Benefit claims-  HMRC advised that claims should be made as normal (see Gov.Uk) and, if they are unable to register the birth, they should attach a covering letter giving that information so the claim could be processed. Contact details for HMRC Child Benefit can be found here

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Speedy reply - thanks!

No problem. It’s also worth noting, in case there is a child benefit delay, that an award of child benefit is not a requirement for the UC child element to be paid. DWP are meant to be able to assess themselves if the claimant is responsible for the child and if the child normally lives with the claimant. In practice they will want to follow HMRC’s child ben decision, but the claimant is entitled to push them on that, eg MRing the decision at the end of the AP when the child was born if it doesn’t include the right elements.

HMRC advises no need to have registered birth to claim child benefit during COVID-19 outbreak -

Even though General Register Offices remain closed for now, parents can still claim Child Benefit without having to register their child’s birth first to ensure that they do not miss out.

First time parents will need to fill in Child Benefit claim form CH2 and send it to the Child Benefit Office. If they haven’t registered the birth because of COVID-19, they should add a note with their claim to let us know.

If they already claim Child Benefit, they can complete the form or add their new-born’s details over the phone on 0300 200 3100. They will need their National Insurance number or Child Benefit number.

The fill on screen form appears to be broken: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-benefit-claim-form-ch2 (2nd link)

Does anyone have a workable copy?

EDIT: Never mind, the download and fill instructions on the page work (not on a phone). Second question still relevant though:

Also, is there any alternative way to claim CB for the first child, say by phone?

See Guidance from HMRC in previous posting - yes, it can be done by phone.

Vaux - 11 April 2020 03:13 PM

See Guidance from HMRC in previous posting - yes, it can be done by phone.

That website quite clearly states that it has to be done by post for the first child…

Guidance for verifying children in UC:

http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2019-0980/1._Additional_amount_for_children_v14.0.pdf