UK households have been warned that HMRC Child Benefit payments of up to £1,407 per year will stop on August 31 for teenagers who turn 16, unless parents take action to extend their claim. The Labour Party government-administered benefit typically ends on this date, but parents can continue receiving payments if their child remains in approved education or training.
How to Extend Your Child Benefit Claim
Parents can extend their claim using GOV.UK or the HMRC app if their son or daughter is staying in full-time non-advanced education or approved training. No letter is required to apply; eligibility depends solely on the child's educational plans. HMRC states that child benefit can continue until the child turns 20, provided they are accepted onto a qualifying course before age 19 and do not receive Universal Credit.
Payment Rates for 2026/2027
For the 2026/2027 tax year, child benefit is £27.05 per week for an eldest or only child, totalling £1,406.60 over 12 months. For other children, the rate is £17.90 per week, equating to £930.80 annually. Parents must notify HMRC about their child's education or training; only the person claiming Child Benefit can do this.
Automatic Stop and Exceptions
Child benefit automatically stops on August 31 on or after a child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training, parents do not inform HMRC of continued education, or the type of education does not qualify. Full-time non-advanced education is defined as more than an average of 12 hours per week of supervised study or course-related work experience. For children with an illness or disability, fewer hours may be acceptable.
Qualifying and Non-Qualifying Courses
Non-advanced education includes A levels, T levels, GCSEs, Scottish Highers, NVQs and most vocational qualifications up to level 3, home education, study programmes in England, and pre-apprenticeships. Parents cannot get child benefit if their child is studying for a university degree, BTEC Higher National Certificate, pre-degree courses such as foundation diplomas or access to higher education, Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) level 7, or Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE).
