Parents are being urged to take immediate action to renew their Child Benefit claims or risk losing payments this summer. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to families with teenagers aged 16 to 19 who are continuing in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s.
Deadline for Renewal
Child Benefit payments will automatically cease on August 31 following a child's 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager's plans with HMRC. To avoid a break in payments, parents must extend their claim before this deadline.
Around 1.5 million reminder letters are being sent to parents and guardians between now and early May. However, HMRC advises that families do not need to wait for the letter. The digital service for renewing claims opened on April 1, allowing parents who already know their teenager's intentions to act immediately.
How to Renew
Renewals can be completed through the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The reminder letters include a QR code for direct access to the digital service. Parents can extend their claim in minutes, ensuring continuity of monthly payments of £108.20.
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child, paid every four weeks. This amounts to £2,406.60 over the 2026/27 financial year. For each additional child, HMRC pays £17.90 weekly. Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with more than half doing so online or via the app.
Eligibility Criteria
Child Benefit can continue for children in full-time, non-advanced education or approved training. Qualifying education includes:
- A levels or Scottish Highers
- International Baccalaureate
- Home education (if started before age 16, or after 16 with a special educational needs statement assessed by the local authority)
- T levels
- NVQs up to level 3
Approved unpaid training courses also qualify, such as:
- Scotland: Employability Fund programme and No One Left Behind
- Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships, or Jobs Growth Wales+
- Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success, or Skills for Life and Work
Changes in Circumstances
If a child changes their mind about further education or training, parents can inform HMRC online or via the app, and payments will be adjusted accordingly.
High Income Child Benefit Charge
Parents should also be aware of the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). If a claimant or their partner has an individual income between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may need to pay the charge. HMRC recommends using the Child Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK for an estimate. The charge can be paid through the PAYE tax code using the HICBC digital service or via Self Assessment.
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."
