HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding parents of 16 to 19-year-olds to extend their Child Benefit claim if their teenager is staying in certain types of education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s.
Child Benefit payments will automatically stop on August 31 on or after a child's 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager's plans. Around 1.5 million reminder letters have been issued to parents and guardians urging them to update their online account.
Act Now to Avoid Payment Break
HMRC’s digital service for extending the claim is open, and those who already know their teenager's plans should act now to prevent a break in monthly payments of £108.20. Claim extensions can be made on the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The letters also include a QR code linking directly to the digital service.
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 a week and paid every four weeks, providing some £2,406.60 over the 2026/27 financial year for the eldest or only child. HMRC pays £17.90 a week for each additional child.
Last Year's Extension Figures
Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with more than half doing so online or through the HMRC app. 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."
Eligible Education and Training
Child Benefit can continue to be paid for children who are studying full time in approved non-advanced education, which includes A levels or Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate, home education (if it started before their child turned 16, or after 16 if they have a statement of special educational needs and it was assessed by the local authority), T levels, and NVQs up to level 3.
Child Benefit will also continue for children studying on one of these unpaid approved training courses: Scotland's Employability Fund programme and No One Left Behind; Wales' Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme; Northern Ireland's PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work.
Changes and Tax Implications
If a child changes their mind about further education or training, parents can simply inform HMRC online or in the app, and payments will be adjusted accordingly. If a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).
Use the Child Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK for an estimate. Parents can pay the charge through their PAYE tax code using the HICBC digital service, or through Self Assessment.
