HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed that monthly Child Benefit payments of £117.22 will automatically stop from September if parents of 16 to 19-year-olds fail to extend their claim by August 31. The government department has issued a reminder that parents must act if their teenager is continuing in certain types of education or training after completing GCSEs or National 5s.
HMRC sent out approximately 1.5 million reminder letters to households last month. However, parents do not need to wait for these letters, as the digital service for extending claims opened on April 1. Those who already know their teenager's plans can take action immediately.
Child Benefit Rates and Payments
Following a 3.8% uplift on April 6, Child Benefit is now worth £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child, up from £26.05. For each additional child, the rate is £17.90 per week, up from £17.25. This equates to annual increases of £52 and £33.80, respectively.
Under the new rates, a parent with one child can receive £1,406.60 per year from HMRC, which averages approximately £117.22 per month. For families with two children, the total is even higher, and there is no limit on the number of children for whom you can claim, except for the Benefit Cap.
Eligibility and Extension Process
Child Benefit can continue for teenagers who are studying full-time in non-advanced education or undertaking unpaid approved training courses. Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claims, with over half using the online service or the HMRC app.
Failure to extend a claim by August 31, either online via the HMRC website or through the HMRC app, will result in payments automatically stopping on that date or after the child's 16th birthday, unless the parent confirms the teenager's plans.
In cases where a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an individual income between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).
Official Reminder from HMRC
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.”
Parents only need to act if their teenager is starting a new course or qualifying training in September. Those already partway through a course previously notified to HMRC do not need to do anything. Claim extensions can be made on the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The letters sent by HMRC also include a QR code linking directly to the digital service.
