Child Benefit Backdated and Eligibility

[MandMs]

Hello,

I appreciate that similar queries might have been asked, but I would be grateful if someone could clarify my concern.

Just a question on the Child Benefits, I received my ILR in Feb 2025, my kids became British in April 2025, and my wife received her ILR in May 2025.

As far as I understand, Child Benefit claims are backdated by up to three months. I am a bit confused: if I submit the claim today and assume it is accepted within a week (though I know processing times are longer, but let’s assume this scenario), would the backdated payments (from February/March 2025 onward) mean I received public funds retroactively during a period when my children were not eligible because they had not yet become British citizens?

Should I wait until July/August to submit the claim to ensure compliance, or am I being unnecessarily cautious? - I am a bit cautious as I want to make sure nothing will affect me or my wife when we apply for naturalisation next year.

Thanks and any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Amber]

If you apply now and backdate 3 months that’s March 2025. If you were granted ILR in Feb 2025. I don’t see what the issue is?

[MandMs]

Thanks Amber for your reply.

I was thinking about the same but because the kids were not eligible at the time I got my ILR that's makes me a bit hesitant albeit I understand that I am the one who claims and I was eligible at the time but because that issue of kids eligibility, not sure if it fully affects anything.

I didn't apply for child benefit back in February because I contacted multiple agents asking about the kids eligibility and all of them couldn't provide me with a solid information, the general advise was to wait until kids become eligible which I preferred to do anyway but now I am still hesitant or maybe overthinking not sure what is the right thing to do.

[Amber]

I assume you mean because the children were subject to immigration control. However, they’re now British - I think you’re overthinking things.

[MandMs]

Exactly because if claim is backdate 3 months that’s March 2025, at that time, the children were subject to immigration control. This what makes me feel a bit nervous about submitting the claim now tbf.