Millions of parents have just one week left to renew their Child Benefit payments before they stop. The deadline to notify HMRC that a child is continuing with education or training is August 31, following the release of GCSE results last week.
Who is eligible for Child Benefit?
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 a week for your first child, then £17.90 for any additional child. You can claim it if you are responsible for a child under the age of 16, or if they are under the age of 20 and they stay on in education or training.
Child Benefit continues for children in full-time, non-advanced education, including A levels, T levels, Scottish Highers, NVQs up to level 3, and certain approved training schemes. It cannot be claimed for children doing a university degree, a standard apprenticeship in England, or a course that forms part of a job contract.
How to update your claim
You can update your Child Benefit claim through the HMRC app or GOV.UK, or by phone or post. Once your child has finished their education or training, Child Benefit payments will continue until whichever of these comes first: the end of February, May 31, August 31 or November 31.
You must inform HMRC if your child leaves education or training before the course is complete, otherwise you risk being paid money that you are not entitled to.
Income thresholds and eligibility
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC 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."
You can claim the full amount of Child Benefit if you, or your partner, earn under £60,000 a year. If you earn more than this, then the High Income Child Benefit Charge will apply. If either you earn over £60,000, you have to pay back 1% of your Child Benefit for every £200 you earn over £60,000. Child Benefit is effectively wiped out once you earn over £80,000.
To claim Child Benefit, your child normally has to live with you, or you pay at least the same amount as Child Benefit toward looking after them. There is no limit for how many children you can claim Child Benefit for, but only one person can make a claim for Child Benefit for any individual child.
