Delay in Applying for childrens allowance, Backpay ??

It seems that myself and my husband have not recd any childrens allowance on our children since 2004 . WE thought it was going into a post office savings account.Accountant was to do this and i know we should have known better . absolutely devastated as we are now both unemployed and when we went to use these savings to survive and pay our everyday bills that are getting out of control , there is nothing there ..nothing. now yes we are idiots , absolute idiots ..I have been in contact with the dept and they have asked me to get all the relevant docs in , i.e proof from doctor that they are resident, proof from schools that they are attending, passports, library cards, g.a.a cards and pictures of them at various camps during the years etc...I have buckets of stuff to prove we are here with no breaks since they were born ..I even have school photos going up to them but my question is ..

IS IT WORTH ASKING FAR A BACKPAYMENT FOR THE MISSING YEARS OR EVEN JUST ONE YEARS BACK PAYENT , OR SHOULD WE JUST APPLY FROM NOW ? AM I WASTING PRECIOUS TIME AS WE ARE BROKE AND AS ITS OUR ERROR

Here's a link to what the Dept guidelines say about backdating late claims:

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/OperationalGuidelines/Pages/clmslateclms.aspx#4

It will be up to the Deciding Officer in Child Benefit to make a decision on whether you fall into the category entitled to backdating - but if the decision goes your way, it appears you may get full arrears.

Thanks Gipimann

But would my case ( in your general view ) constitute Good Cause ?

It's not my area of expertise so I couldn't give an opinion, sorry!

Cashier

Thank you so much ... this information has helped our family....

thank you again


Senni