HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is sending out letters from today (May 10) to remind parents to update their Child Benefit claims. These letters will be received by around 1.5 million UK households, many of which risk losing at least £1,406.60 a year if they fail to update their claims.
These households have been selected as their children are approaching the age of 16 and Child Benefit payments stop unless they remain in approved education or training. Parents must notify HMRC by August 31 if their children plan to stay in school, college or qualifying training programmes after completing GCSEs or National 5s.
Child Benefit payment amounts
Child Benefit payouts are worth £27.05 a week – or £1,406.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each additional child. It means households with a child can get £108 a month, whereas those with two kids get £179. It is paid every four weeks and amounts to £1,406.60 a year for one child and £2,337.40 for two children.
HMRC urges early action
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."
Visit GOV.UK for the full list of eligible courses. HMRC said: "Parents of teenagers starting qualifying further education or training courses must extend their Child Benefit claim by August 31. Parents of 16-19 year-olds are reminded to extend their Child Benefit claim if their teenager is staying in certain types of education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s. Child Benefit will automatically stop on August 31 on or after a child’s 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager’s plans."
Around 1.5 million reminder letters will be sent from late April, with most landing on doorsteps in early May.
