Thousands of parents are set to lose their Child Benefit payments from the end of this month. Child Benefit, worth £27.05 a week for the first child and £17.90 for each additional child, can be claimed by those responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they remain in approved education or training. This includes A-Levels, NVQs, and home education, but excludes university or BTEC qualifications. Once your child leaves their approved education or training, payments will cease.
The next cut-off date for Child Benefit payments is May 31. More than seven million families currently receive Child Benefit. To be eligible, the child must ordinarily live with you, or you must contribute at least the equivalent amount of Child Benefit towards their upkeep. If you have fostered a child and the local council is not contributing towards their housing or maintenance, or if you have adopted a child, you are entitled to claim Child Benefit. You may also qualify if you are caring for a child on behalf of a friend or family member. There is no restriction on the number of children you can claim for, but only one person can make a claim if two people are caring for the same child.
Meanwhile, higher earners are being reminded that they may need to repay a portion of their Child Benefit. If you or your partner earn over £60,000, you will be required to repay 1% of your Child Benefit for every £200 earned above this threshold. This reimbursement falls under the High Income Child Benefit Charge scheme, whereby anyone earning over £80,000 must repay the full amount of Child Benefit received. The threshold for the High Income Child Benefit Charge was increased from £50,000 to £60,000 in April 2024.
