HMRC will stop Child Benefit payments from September for families who did not update their claims by August 31. Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds were given until the end of August to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) whether their child would continue in approved education or training. Those who did not respond by the deadline risk having their payments stopped automatically.
Payment amounts and eligibility
Child Benefit is worth up to £1,406.60 a year for an eldest or only child, while payments can reach £930.80 a year for each additional child. The benefit can continue for children aged 16 to 19 who remain in full-time, non-advanced education or approved training. This includes A levels, T levels, Scottish Highers, NVQs up to level 3, and certain approved training schemes. A full list of approved education routes is available on GOV.UK.
What parents should do now
HMRC sent letters to around 1.5 million parents this year, reminding them to extend their claims before the August 31 deadline. More than 372,000 parents had extended their Child Benefit payments digitally.
If you missed the August 31 deadline, you should update your Child Benefit claim as soon as possible rather than assuming you have lost the payments. Parents can use the HMRC app or GOV.UK to confirm that their teenager is continuing in qualifying education or training.
Important changes to report
Eligible parents should check with HMRC about any payments they may have missed after their claim was stopped. Parents should be aware that Child Benefit cannot continue if their child has started a university degree, a standard apprenticeship in England or a course that forms part of a job contract.
They must also tell HMRC if their child's circumstances change, such as leaving education or starting a paid apprenticeship, to avoid being overpaid.
