I split with my ex partner. We went through the Courts for a Shared Cared Residential Order. Time with both parents is equal. My children have 2 address, 2 bedrooms, 2 lots of toys, 2 lots of clothing, 2 adults who have to feed, cloth & heat. However, me as their mum does not receive child benefit, even though they live with me half the week. I work, my ex doesn't. The government does not class my chidren as my responsibilty financially because i dont get the child benefit for them, My ex doesn't share the benefit and uses this to control me finacially. It affects my contributions towards my pension, even though ive worked since i was 16, and my ex has never worked. It affects my housing, I should be classed as overcrowded by the council as i have 2 children live with me half the week, but i'm not classed as being responsible for their welfare because I dont receive child benefit. I buy everything for my children and its got to the stage where the shoes on their very feet are not returned and come back bare footed. If the child benefit was split them im sure it would solve all these problems for many people. The money is not the case here, the fact is, I've learnt it doesnt matter who has custody ect, all that matters is that child benefit and that is what the goverment base there decision on who is the main carer and who should get the help when needed. Please help me with this as I'm sure i'm not the only one who is struggling with this as a mother or a father. Him receiving the child benefit for my son who is under 2 had given him the right to claim income support and not look for work till he is 5, where the time is split equally between us but ive not had any choice but to go to work to support my children, which i dont mind. If i need to earn more money, which i could, Im not entitled to help with childcare costs, because i dont get the child benefit or tax credits! Do you think this is fair?