HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging parents of 16 to 19-year-olds to extend their Child Benefit claim if their teenager is continuing in certain forms of education or training following their GCSEs or National 5s.
HMRC has warned that Child Benefit payments will automatically cease on August 31 on or after a child's 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager's intentions. Approximately 1.5 million reminder letters have been sent out to parents and guardians encouraging them to update their online account. HMRC's digital service for extensions launched in April, and those who already know their teenager's plans are being urged to act promptly to avoid any interruption to monthly payments of £108.20.
Claim extensions can be submitted via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The letters also feature a QR code linking directly to the digital service. Child Benefit is worth £27.05 per week and is paid every four weeks, amounting to £2,406.60 across the 2026/27 financial year for the eldest or only child, reports the Daily Record.
HMRC pays £17.90 a 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.
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 our letter. You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK."
Child Benefit can continue to be paid for children who are studying full time in approved non-advanced education, which includes:
- A levels or Scottish Highers
- International Baccalaureate
- Home education - if it started before their child turned 16, or after 16 if they have a statement of special educational needs and it was assessed by the local authority
- T levels
- NVQs, up to level 3
Child Benefit will also continue for children studying on one of these unpaid approved training courses:
- Scotland: Employability Fund programme and No One Left Behind
- Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme
- Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work
Should a child decide against continuing with further education or training, parents can simply notify HMRC via the online service or app and payments will be updated accordingly.
Where a Child Benefit claimant or their partner earns 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 by using the Child Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK. Parents are able to settle the charge through their PAYE tax code via the HICBC digital service, or through Self Assessment.
