HMRC is offering a £26.05 per week payment to millions of UK households through Child Benefit, which also provides National Insurance credits that boost state pension payments in later life. HM Revenue and Customs has issued a reminder that families with children up to age 18 can claim the benefit, which pays £26.05 per week for the first child and an additional £17.25 per week for each subsequent child.
Eligibility and Payment Details
Child Benefit is available to any parent earning £80,000 or less, though the amount is gradually reduced for those earning between £60,000 and £80,000. Those earning under £60,000 receive the full amount. The benefit was never capped by the two-child benefit limit, which applies specifically to Universal Credit and the uplift for children within that system.
In addition to the cash payments, claimants receive National Insurance credits that count towards their state pension. The full new state pension is £241.30 per week, but this maximum is only achieved by those with enough National Insurance credits, typically earned through work or via Child Benefit claims.
State Pension Boost Through National Insurance Credits
HMRC stated in a tweet: “Don’t miss out on Child Benefit! Over 1.4 million parents and carers have claimed Child Benefit online. £26.05/week for your first child. £17.25/week for each additional child. Plus National Insurance credits towards your State Pension. Claim today via the HMRC app or online.”
Nottinghamshire County Council explained: “In addition to monthly payments, Child Benefit can help protect an individual’s state pension (by providing National Insurance credits for periods away from work) and ensures that each child automatically receives their National Insurance Number at age 16. So it’s always worth registering for Child Benefit.”
Additional Context
Other avenues for earning National Insurance credits include looking after grandchildren. The HMRC reminder comes as households face rising living costs, with energy suppliers like British Gas, EDF, EON, and Octopus offering up to £1,700 in customer boosts, and pensioners losing £5,000 each before a UK law change.
