Parents could be missing out on £27 each week, HMRC has warned. Many families are unaware they can continue receiving Child Benefit after their child turns 16. The benefit, worth more than £1,000 a year per child, can be extended if the teenager remains in approved education or training.
How to Extend Your Claim
HMRC shared an alert on X, formerly Twitter, stating: "Did you know? Child Benefit can continue after your child turns 16. If they're staying on in education or approved training after summer, your payments can continue. Find out how to extend your claim in the HMRC app or online."
The current rate is £27.05 per child, usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. Single parents or those receiving certain benefits like Universal Credit can opt for weekly payments. The money can be paid into any account except a Post Office card account or a Nationwide cashbuilder account (sort code 07 00 30) in someone else's name. Only one account can receive payments.
Eligibility Criteria
Parents typically qualify if their child is under 20 and in approved full-time non-advanced education or training. Full-time means more than an average of 12 hours per week of supervised study or course-related work experience. If the child has an illness or disability, fewer hours may be acceptable.
If a 16 or 17-year-old leaves education or training and registers with a government-sponsored careers service or the armed services, Child Benefit can continue for 20 weeks. However, payments automatically stop on 31 August on or after the child's 16th birthday if they leave education or training, or if parents fail to notify HMRC that the child is continuing in an eligible program.
