Commuting to France from the UK: Child Benefit and Health Cover

[Matt and SJ]

Query concerning claiming child benefit in France and getting health cover for wife and kids if working and commuting from the UK

I don't know if there is anyone who knows the answer to the following:

I work for an employer in the UK (where I pay my taxes and contriutions) but I now commute to France where my wife and two small children now reside (with the lin-laws) and will shortly go to school. My wife is French and lived in England for several years where she worked before becoming a full time mum. She has worked in France before but at present only has health cover for her and the kids until January 2009 (E106).

We were originally claiming child benefit and child tax credit in the UK but were told by CAF that we could claim child benefit in France for our two kids if we had a letter from the UK authorities stating we are no longer claiming anything in England.

Now we have finally got that letter a different CAF advisor has stated we may not be entitled to French child benefit after all as I am currently the sole earner and pay my taxes in the UK and were we also own our only property (a flat owned in both our names which is seen as our main residence).

Furthermore, as I am earning in the UK, even if we do buy a house in France (our intention) as I work in the UK this latest advisor states my flat will always be seen as the main family residence.

In short, has anyone found themselves in the same situation and if so, were you still able to claim French child benefit?

Also, I have been told by the UK authorities that, as a tax payer in the UK, I can complete an E109 which would get me French health cover for my wife and kids in France. Is this true?

I would be grateful to hear from anyone who knows the answer to these two queries or from anyone who commutes to France from the UK with any tips.

Many thanks,

Matt

[Clair]

Have a look at these threads as a starting point:

http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1398608/ShowPost.aspx

http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1342142/ShowPost.aspx

[parsnips]

I think you are entitled to cover under E109, and this would seem to imply that you are entitled to UK child benefit. Why don't you telephone HMRC Centre for non-residents, room BP 1301 Benton Park View, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1ZZ, TEL 0845 915 4811(from UK) +44 191 225 4811 (from france) and discus with them, I have always found them helpful.