HMRC letters to be sent to parents claiming Child Benefit for 16 year olds
Parents receiving Child Benefit for their 16-year-old children are being advised by HMRC that they risk losing these payments unless they act. Those claiming the benefit have been informed that if their children are continuing in education or enrolling in approved training programmes, they will be required to provide updated details prior to August 31 in order to extend the claim.
Presently, 7.62 million households within the UK are recipients of Child Benefit. It amounts to £26.05 per week or £1,354.60 per year for the first child or only child and £17.25 per week or £897 a year for an additional child.
It is standard for the claim to be accessible if you are caring for a child below 16 years but individuals may continue claiming up until the child turns 20. Once a child reaches 16, a notification needs to be sent to the government if you are planning to make a continued claim.
The cut-off date of August is important, reports the Manchester Evening News. Eligibility to continue the claim is provided by the child carrying out "approved" education and training which will exceed a total of 12 hours each week. For example, levels A, levels T, Scottish advanced higher and NVQ are types of qualifications which might be covered.
Traineeship opportunities are further included. In addition, home schoolers can benefit too.
Parents who claim Child Benefit are being advised to act swiftly where necessary. They must update their benefit information before 31 August to avoid losing their claim.
Eligibility, however, is forfeited if your child enrols in an advanced course like a university degree, BTEC Higher National Certificate, or intermediate/advanced apprenticeship. For those children continuing in approved education, inform HMRC before the cut-off date.
Following the completion of the approved education or training, Child Benefit payments will terminate at the end of February, May 31, August 31, or November 30, whichever occurs first. HMRC is mailing out letters to thousands of families, urging them to update their details. These notifications will be sent until the conclusion of July.
To ensure ongoing support, parents can renew their Child Benefit claims utilising the HMRC app or online through GOV.UK. The letters dispatched include a QR code for swift access to the digital service provided on GOV.UK.
HMRC claims that the process to update your Child Benefit claim is quick, taking mere "minutes." In the previous year, upwards of 870,000 parents renewed online, covering their teens' Child Benefit.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said: "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."
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