HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging UK households with teenagers to extend their Child Benefit claim before Sunday, August 31. Child Benefit can be claimed by parents or guardians who are responsible for raising a child under the age of 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. Thanks to a 1.7% uplift in April, the benefit is now worth £26.05 per week for one child and £17.25 per week for each additional child.
It means that parents can get a cash boost worth at least £1,354.60 per year from HMRC, while those with two children can get an extra £897 annually, taking the total to £2,251.50 per year, or £3,148.50 per year if you have three children. But there’s no limit – other than the Benefit Cap – which means if you had four children, or five, and so on, then you could get even more than £3,148.50, with £897 for each additional child.
HMRC has issued a reminder to parents with children aged between 16 and 19 to confirm their child’s continued education or training before Sunday, August 31, to continue receiving payments.
Failure to confirm this, either online via the HMRC website or through the HMRC app, will mean payments will automatically stop on this date.
HMRC sent letters to parents to remind them to confirm their child’s education or training status between May and July and is urging those who have still yet to complete this to do it before this Sunday’s deadline.
HMRC said: “As teenagers get their exam results, parents are urged to renew their Child Benefit claim by 31 August for payments to continue in September. Parents can quickly and easily extend their Child Benefit claim via the HMRC app or online to guarantee their payments.”
The government department added: “Parents of 16 to 19 year olds will receive reminders from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August if their child is staying in education or training or payments will automatically stop.
“Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August on or after a child’s 16th birthday if it’s not extended. Parents can extend their claim quickly and easily via the HMRC app or online on GOV.UK. The letters also contain a handy QR code which takes parents straight to the digital service on GOV.UK.”
Child Benefit can continue to be paid for young people who are studying full time in non-advanced education, as well as unpaid approved training courses.
If claimants or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner will be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Child Benefit is an important boost to families. As soon as you know what your teenager is planning to do, extend your claim in minutes to guarantee your payments continue in September. Simply go to GOV.UK or the HMRC app to confirm today.”
