Thousands of parents could be owed around £324 or more from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and are being urged to act before a critical deadline at the end of this month.
Families who missed the August 31 cut-off to notify HMRC that their 16 to 19-year-old was continuing in approved education or training will have had their payments automatically halted in September. Parents and carers still have the opportunity to reinstate their claims and receive their full financial entitlement, provided they take action by Monday, November 30.
Backdated payments worth up to £324.60
As Child Benefit claims can be backdated by up to three months, meeting this precise deadline means families will not lose any money they are owed since the September cut-off. At present, the benefit pays £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child, and £17.90 for each additional child.
This means families receiving three months of backdated claims for one child could receive up to £324.60, with the number rising for more than one dependent.
Who is eligible?
Child Benefit can be claimed by those responsible for children aged under 16, or under 20 if they remain in approved education or training. To be eligible, the child must ordinarily live with you, or you must contribute at least the equivalent amount towards their upkeep.
It is worth noting that only one person may claim where two people are caring for the same child. Approved education encompasses courses such as A-Levels, NVQs, and home education.
Under HMRC rules, payments may also continue for teenagers who embark on approved training, or those who are required to study at home owing to illness or disability. University degrees and BTEC qualifications, however, are strictly ineligible. Once your child leaves their approved education or training programme, payments will officially cease.
If your child is simply progressing into the second year of a full-time, non-advanced education course, there is no need to contact HMRC, as payments will continue automatically.
How to restart your claim
HMRC said: "There is still time to help your parent or carer employees receive the Child Benefit payments they are entitled to. Anyone who wants to continue receiving Child Benefit should act before 30 November 2026 to get their full entitlement."
Officials confirmed that while payments stopped automatically for those who missed the August deadline, claims can be straightforwardly reinstated. Parents and carers can update their details within minutes via the official HMRC app or online portal, meaning there is no requirement to wait on hold to speak with HMRC directly.
Nevertheless, a caution still applies to those on higher salaries. Any parent or carer who extends their Child Benefit claim, where either they or their partner earns in excess of £60,000, will be required to pay the High-Income Child Benefit Charge. This charge can now be conveniently settled through their PAYE tax code.
