HMRC is sending reminder letters to parents across the UK, urging them to claim Child Benefit or risk missing out on a valuable financial perk worth up to £1,406 per year. The letters will start arriving from Friday, May 8.
More than 6.9 million families currently receive Child Benefit, and payments increased from April. However, HMRC warns that many families are not claiming the benefit early enough. From April 6, claimants receive £27.05 per week (or £1,406.60 per year) for the eldest or only child, and £17.90 per week (£930.80 per year) for each additional child, with no limit on the number of children.
Latest figures show that only 72% of families claimed Child Benefit in their baby's first year. Claims can only be backdated for up to three months from the date HMRC receives the claim, meaning thousands of families are losing out on vital financial support.
How to Claim
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said: “Looking after a child can be expensive, especially a newborn baby. It takes a few minutes to claim Child Benefit via the app, and doing so as soon as you can after your baby is born will ensure you don’t miss out on vital financial support.”
Child Benefit is usually paid every four weeks directly into a bank account. Parents do not need to wait for a letter if their teenager is staying in education or training; claims can be extended immediately via the HMRC app or GOV.UK website. The letters include a QR code linking directly to the service.
Additional Support
Anna Sharkey from the Money and Pensions Service said: “Use MoneyHelper's free Benefits Calculator if you think you, or someone you know, might be eligible for Child Benefit. The calculator will show you all the benefits you're eligible for.”
Other MoneyHelper tools for new parents include the Baby Cost Calculator to help budget for a baby, and the Baby Money Timeline providing key dates to plan finances. Visit MoneyHelper.org.uk for free and impartial money guidance.
