Rejected petition Review benefit rules for 50/50 shared custody families

Review and reform the rules that assign all benefits (e.g. DLA, Carer’s Allowance, and benefit cap exemptions) to one parent in shared custody arrangements. In cases where parenting is split 50/50, both parents should be recognised as carers and receive appropriate support.

More details

In 50/50 custody arrangements, only one parent is recognised for DLA, Carer’s Allowance, and benefit cap exemption. This is unfair and creates unequal financial burdens and emotional strain and fails to serve the best interests of the child who relies on care and support in both homes especially in cases like mine, where our 8-year-old has had cancer treatment for over four years. I care for them half the time but receive no support. The rules must change to reflect modern shared parenting.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.

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You may wish to sign the following petition, which calls for similar action:

Give automatic equal benefits rights to separated parents who are co-parenting
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/712981

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.

Date submitted 16 April 2025
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