The HMRC has issued a reminder to millions of parents across the UK that Child Benefit payments may stop automatically if they do not confirm their teenager's plans by August 31. Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds are urged to reconfirm their child's education or training status to avoid missing payments.
How to Avoid Payment Interruption
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, advises parents who have received a letter to act before the deadline. The letter includes a QR code that can be scanned with a smartphone camera to access the digital service on GOV.UK. Alternatively, parents can log in to the HMRC app or visit GOV.UK directly to extend their claim. Lloyd explains: "Simply scan it with your smartphone camera to get started. You can also log in to the HMRC app or go directly to GOV.UK to extend your claim. You don't need to wait for a letter - if you already know your teenager's plans, you can act right now."
What If Your Child Hasn't Decided Yet?
If your child has not yet confirmed their plans, Lloyd advises not to panic but to act as soon as they decide. "If there's any chance they'll be staying in qualifying education or training, extend your claim before 31 August to avoid missing any payments," she said. If plans change later, such as leaving education or starting an apprenticeship, parents must inform HMRC promptly to avoid overpayments, which may need to be repaid.
Consequences of Missing the Deadline
Failure to confirm a teenager's plans by August 31 will result in Child Benefit payments stopping automatically. While claims can be restarted later, this may lead to missed payments. The quickest ways to extend a claim are via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. For those unable to use online services, HMRC can be contacted by phone or post using the details provided in the letter.
Child Benefit Amounts and Eligibility
Child Benefit is a regular government payment to help with the cost of raising a child. It is paid every four weeks or weekly to parents or carers responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. The current rates are £27.05 per week (£1,406.60 per year) for the eldest or only child, and £17.90 per week for each additional child.
Why Payments Stop at 16
Child Benefit is designed to support parents while their child is in full-time, non-advanced education or approved training. Payments can stop when a child turns 16 if they leave education. However, if the child stays in approved education or unpaid training, parents can continue to claim until the child turns 20.
Qualifying Education and Training
Qualifying education includes full-time, non-advanced courses such as A levels, T levels, GCSEs, Scottish Highers, NVQs, or equivalent qualifications, as well as approved training schemes. Child Benefit cannot be claimed if the child is pursuing a university degree, a standard apprenticeship in England, or a course that is part of a job contract. A full list of eligible courses is available on GOV.UK.
