Parents of teenagers are being urged to update HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) before the end of this month or risk their Child Benefit payments stopping automatically. Families with children aged 16 to 19 who are starting further education or approved training in September may need to extend their Child Benefit claim by August 31.
The warning follows the release of National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results in Scotland earlier this month, with many teenagers now confirming what they plan to do after the summer.
Who needs to extend their Child Benefit claim?
Parents only need to take action if their teenager is starting a new course or qualifying training in September. Families whose child is already partway through a course that has previously been reported to HMRC do not need to contact the department again.
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
- NVQs, up to level 3
Child Benefit will also continue for children studying on one of these unpaid approved training courses:
- Scotland: Employability Fund programme and No One Left Behind
- Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme
- Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work
When Child Benefit payments can stop
Not every form of education or training qualifies for continued Child Benefit. Payments cannot continue for a young person studying for a university degree.
Parents must also tell HMRC if their child's circumstances subsequently change, including if they leave education or begin a paid apprenticeship. This is important because continuing to receive Child Benefit when someone is no longer eligible could result in an overpayment that needs to be repaid.
How to extend a Child Benefit claim
Parents who need to extend their claim can do so online through GOV.UK or using the HMRC app. Those who received a letter from HMRC can also use the QR code included in it to access the digital service. Parents unable to use the online services can extend their claim by post or telephone using the details contained in their HMRC letter. The deadline for parents who need to notify HMRC is August 31.
HMRC has written to around 1.5 million parents this year reminding them to extend their claim where necessary, while more than 372,000 have already done so digitally. Child Benefit is worth up to £1,406.60 a year for an eldest or only child and up to £930.80 for each additional child.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said: “Exam results season is a big moment for teenagers deciding their next steps, and it's the perfect time for parents to confirm those plans with us. Child Benefit is a vital source of support for many families and we don't want anyone to miss out. It only takes a few minutes using the HMRC app or GOV.UK, so make sure you’re receiving the payments you're entitled to.”
Families should also be aware that receiving Child Benefit can result in a tax charge where either the claimant or their partner has an individual adjusted net income above £60,000. The higher earner may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). How much is payable depends on income, and eligible parents can now pay the charge through their PAYE tax code using HMRC's digital service or through Self Assessment.
