HMRC has issued a warning that parents may lose child benefit payments of around £108.20 per month from September if they fail to take action. The government has sent approximately 1.5 million letters to families, urging them to meet a key deadline.
Deadline for Action
Parents must confirm by August 31 that their 16-to-19-year-old child is continuing in qualifying education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s. If no action is taken, payments will be stopped. For two children, the monthly HMRC Child Benefit payment is £194.83 (or about £44.95 per week), based on the 2026/27 rate of £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week for each additional child.
How to Extend Claims
Parents do not need to wait for their reminder letter. They can extend their claim immediately via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The reminder letters, which include a QR code linking directly to the digital service, will be sent from late April, with most arriving in early May. Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with more than half doing so online or through the app.
Child Benefit Overview
Child Benefit is a payment from HMRC to help with the cost of raising a child. It is available to those with parental responsibility for someone under 16, or under 20 if they are in full-time education or approved training. The benefit is worth £27.05 per week (£1,406.60 per year) for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week for each additional child. Parents also receive National Insurance credits toward their state pension, and their child automatically gets a National Insurance number at 16.
Automatic Stop and Reminders
Child Benefit will automatically stop on August 31 on or after a child's 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager's plans. 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 your letter. You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK."
Eligible Education and Tax Considerations
Child Benefit can continue for teenagers studying full-time in non-advanced education or on unpaid approved training courses. The full list of eligible courses is available on GOV.UK. If a claimant or their partner has an individual income between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). Parents can use the Child Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK for an estimate and pay the charge through their PAYE tax code or Self Assessment.
Additional Information
For more details, parents can visit GOV.UK for information on Child Benefit for 16-to-19-year-olds. HMRC also confirms refunds to people with Plan 2 loans before October.
