How to use Child Benefit money

Question

In England, child benefit is afforded to parents of kids. Who would be the recipient of it, as its afforded to any one of the parents, if they apply. Will it be permissible for the parent to use it, or must it be only used on the child? Answer: ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Child benefit is a monthly government payment to anyone who is responsible for a child to help pay for anything they need and boost your household budget. It can only be paid to one person, and you don't necessarily need to be the child's parent to receive it, but you must be responsible for a child. Anyone who is responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 and in an approved form of education or training, is eligible for child benefit. You’re usually considered as being responsible for a child if you live with them or you’re paying at least the same amount as child benefit (or the equivalent in kind) towards looking after them (e.g. contributing food, clothes, gifts, money, etc.).1 With that said, the child benefit will be considered as a gift from the government, and the one who is responsible for the child will be deemed the owner of the money. Hence, it will be permissible for the responsible parent of the child to use the money at their discretion.2 Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham

1 https://www.which.co.uk/money/tax/tax-credits-and-benefits/child-benefit-as03c8p5dprb 2 Behishti Zewar: p. 340 (Darul Isha’at)