HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed that households claiming Child Benefit for teenagers aged 16 to 19 must extend their claim by August 31, 2026, or risk losing £108.20 per payment. The tax office issued reminder letters to approximately 1.5 million affected households in May, but parents can act immediately via the HMRC app or online portal, which opened on April 1.
Who Needs to Act?
Claimants with a child aged between 16 and 19 must extend their Child Benefit claim if the teenager plans to stay in full-time non-advanced education or approved unpaid training after completing GCSEs or National 5s. HMRC's digital service has been available since April 1, allowing parents who already know their child's plans to extend without waiting for the reminder letter.
In the 2026/27 tax year, Child Benefit is worth £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 for each additional child. As payments are made every four weeks, claimants receive at least £108.20 per period, with an extra £71.60 for additional children.
Consequences of Missing the Deadline
Failure to extend by August 31 will result in payments automatically stopping from September onwards. This means missing out on a minimum of £108.20 per payment period to help with childcare costs. HMRC issued a reminder on X in June, stating: "Attention parents! Do you have a child aged 16-19? If you claim Child Benefit for them, you'll need to let us know by 31 August if they're staying in full-time education or approved training to keep receiving your payments. It only takes a few minutes via the HMRC app or online."
According to HMRC, 874,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claim last year, with more than half doing so online or through the HMRC app. Extensions can be made via the HMRC app or at GOV.UK. The reminder letters include a QR code linking directly to the digital service.
When Action Is Not Required
Parents only need to act if their teenager is starting a new course or qualifying training in September. Those already part way through a course previously notified to HMRC do not need to do anything. Payments will automatically stop on August 31 or after a child's 16th birthday unless the extension is completed.
High Income Child Benefit Charge
For claimants or their partners with individual incomes between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). In the 2026/27 tax year, 1% of Child Benefit payments must be repaid to HMRC for every £200 earned above £60,000. For households earning £80,000 or more, all Child Benefit must be repaid.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said: "Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenager already knows they're staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s, you don't need to wait for our letter. You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK."
