HMRC issues urgent Child Benefit reminder by August 31
Parents of 16 to 19 year olds should have received a letter from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to extend their Child Benefit claim if their child is staying in education or training, but if they do not apply for them to carry on, they will automatically stop on August 31 on or after their child's 16th birthday.
Is your 16-19 year old planning to stay in education or training in September? Extend your Child Benefit claim now. Find out how 👇https://t.co/pDKoAafTZv — HMRC Press Office (@HMRCpressoffice) May 13, 2025
How much is Child Benefit?
Child Benefit is currently worth £26.05 per week - or £1,354.60 a year - for the eldest or only child and £17.25 per week - or £897 a year - for each additional child. More than 870,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claim for their teen last year with the majority confirming online or via the HMRC app in minutes.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, says: "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."
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.
Visit the HMRC Child Benefit website to check full eligibility.
What about the High Income Child Benefit Charge?
If either the claimant 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.
For families who fall into this category, the online Child Benefit tax calculator provides an estimate of how much benefit they will receive, and what the charge may be.
From this summer, as part of the government's Plan for Change, families will have the option to use a new digital service to pay the charge directly through their PAYE tax code instead of filing a Self Assessment tax return.
The new service will cut red tape for eligible employed parents who are liable to the High Income Child Benefit Charge but those who choose to pay the charge through their Self Assessment can continue to do so.
Families who have previously opted out of Child Benefit payments can opt back in and restart their payments quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app.
If you earn under 80k and haven't claimed Child Benefit yet, it could be financially worth your while. 💷
You or your partner can now earn up to £60k before you start paying the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
Claim online or in the HMRC app. ⬇️ https://t.co/QS26Y4qIhG pic.twitter.com/OOBmRu1WKv — HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) July 2, 2025
There's also an HMRC reminder for the Child Trust Fund - don't miss out
Teenagers turning 16 can take control of their HMRC Child Trust Fund savings account, which could be worth thousands of pounds, and can withdraw the money once they turn 18. Child Trust Funds were set up for every child born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011.
If teenagers or their parents and guardians know who their Child Trust Fund provider is, they can contact them directly. If they don't know where their account is, they can use the free online tool on GOV.UK to find out who their Child Trust Fund provider is.
Recommended reading:
Will I get a letter from HMRC?
1.5 million letters have been sent to parents of 16 to 19 year olds reminding them to extend their Child Benefit claim for their teenager if they are staying in full time education or approved training.
Eligible customers no longer need to wait for the letter to extend their claim. The service will be open online or in the HMRC app for all eligible customers.
Customers can update their Child Benefit claim via the HMRC app and via GOV.UK. Claimants who are unable to use online services can call or write to us using the contact details in their renewal letter.
Can I claim if my teenager is on a course for work?
Parents cannot claim Child Benefit if their child is taking a course that is part of a job contract.
Parents can view and manage their claim quickly and easily online or on the HMRC app.
This includes viewing payment information and proof of their claim, adding additional children and updating their details.
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