HMRC has dispatched approximately 1.5 million letters alerting families to a crucial deadline: parents must confirm their teenager is staying in education or training by August 31 or risk losing Child Benefit payments of around £108.20 per month from September.
Deadline to Extend Child Benefit
Unless parents take action before August 31 to confirm their child aged between 16 and 19 is remaining in education, the payments will be withdrawn. For two children, the monthly Child Benefit payment stands at £194.83 (or approximately £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.
Should the oldest child exceed the age threshold and no action is taken, payments of £108.20 every four weeks will cease. Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds are being urged to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August if their teenager is continuing in qualifying education or training following their GCSEs or National 5s.
How to Extend Your Claim
Around 1.5 million reminder letters are being sent from late April, with the majority expected to arrive on doorsteps in early May. Parents need not wait for their letter to arrive — they can extend their claim immediately via the HMRC app or online through GOV.UK.
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 per week — or £1,406.60 annually — for the eldest or only child, and £17.90 per week for each additional child. Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with more than half doing so online or through the HMRC app.
What is Child Benefit?
Child Benefit is a payment made by HMRC to assist with the costs of raising a child. It can be claimed by anyone with parental responsibility for a child under 16, or under 20 if they remain in full-time education or approved training. Parents also receive National Insurance credits towards their state pension, and their child will automatically be issued a National Insurance number when they turn 16.
Child Benefit will automatically cease on 31 August on or after a child's 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager's intentions. Approximately 1.5 million reminder letters will be dispatched from late April, with the majority arriving through letterboxes in early May.
Parents need not wait for their letter to arrive. HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) digital service for extending claims launched on 1 April, meaning those who already know their teenager's plans can take action straight away. Claim extensions can be submitted via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The letters will also feature a QR code linking directly to the digital service.
High Income Child Benefit Charge
Where a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). An estimate can be obtained using the Child Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK. Parents can settle the charge either through their PAYE tax code via the HICBC digital service, or through 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 your letter. You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK."
Child Benefit can continue for teenagers in full-time non-advanced education, or those undertaking unpaid approved training courses. A full list of eligible courses is available on GOV.UK.
