Hi
I have a client who is Pakistani national married to a British citizen. She has a two year visa, which is subject to no recourse to public funds. Her child is a British citizen.
She's recently separated from her husband, cannot claim child benefit or child tax credit due to her limited status.
She lives with a cousin and wants to know if it would be fine for her cousin to make the benefit claims as the cousin has no immigration restrictions. The cousin is currently maintaining and supporting the client and child as she has no income or savings.

I've checked CPAG which states,
You count as responsible for a child in any week in which:-
* You have the child living with you, or
* You contribute to the costs of providing for the child.
Therefore, accordingly to this she could legitimately apply.

Am I missing something as this feels to wide and open to anyone within the household who's 16 and over to apply for benefit for a child.

Please help or confirm i am on the right lines.

Thanks