Latest news with #ScottishHighers
Metro
21-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
Martin Lewis warns parents of 16-year-olds to 'act now' or lose £1,355 a year
Martin Lewis has urged parents with children born in 2008 or 2009 to 'act now ', or risk losing Child Benefit of up to £1,354.60 each year. This Government allowance is available for anyone with responsibility for a child up to 20 years old, providing they're in approved education or training. However, many people don't realise you have to reapply after your child's 16th birthday — otherwise the payments are automatically stopped. In the latest edition of his Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter, Martin warns that the deadline to do this is August 31 after they turn 16. HMRC will send you a letter asking if they're still in full-time education, and 'you'll need to reply, or let HMRC know online' before this date to keep receiving Child Benefit. Forms of 'approved' education include A-levels, International Baccalaureates, T levels, pre-apprenticeship courses, Scottish Highers, NVQs and home education, but not university degrees and BTEC Higher National Certificate qualifications. In terms of training, this should be unpaid, with traineeships qualifying but not apprenticeships or any training that's part of a job contract. 'Once your child's approved education or training comes to an end, benefit payments will come to an automatic stop, at the end of February, May, August or November (whichever is soonest),' adds MSE. To avoid any nasty surprises, your best bet is to keep HMRC posted of when your child turns 16 and if anything changes after this (like they move college or take a break from training or education). A few minutes of your time could be the difference between an extra £100 in your bank account every month — and given the cost of raising a teenager, that's a helping hand you won't want to miss out on. There are two different rates of Child Benefit for the 2025/2026 financial year: £26.05 a week for a first-born or only child £17.25 a week for each additional child Every parent or guardian is entitled to apply for this, as long as the child you're claiming for lives with you, or you're paying at least the same weekly amount as the benefit towards looking after them. According to the MSE website, 'if two people are responsible for the same child, only one will get the payment'. Parents who live together can either decide who receives it between themselves or let HMRC choose, while if the two parents live apart, it'll go to whoever the child lives with most. If you or your partner have an individual income over £60,000 a year, you can still claim the full Child Benefit, but may have to repay some of it at the end of each tax year due to what's known as the 'high income Child Benefit tax charge'. As a general rule, you need to pay back 1% of the maximum you're entitled to for every £200 you make above £60,000. For example, if you earn £70,000 a year, you'll pay 50% back, which means you'd end up with around £600 around a year for one child. More Trending 'Once you hit £80,000 a year, the charge you'll pay back is 100% of your entitlement, meaning you won't get any benefit,' MSE adds. If you're not sure what that means for you, use the Government's Child Benefit tax calculator for a more accurate estimate. After you've checked whether you're eligible, it's easy to apply for Child Benefit through the website. View More » Bear in mind though, while you can claim at any time after you've registered the birth of your child, it can only be backdated by up to three months — so if you've held off for whatever reason, it's better to get in there sooner rather than later to avoid losing out. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: The 'hero' 11-year-old boy who has saved his mum's life again and again MORE: Designer shares 7 top tips to create a tastful bedroom every child will love MORE: I didn't know how to react when Mum mistook me for her mother
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
HMRC says parents of teens could lose £1,350 Child Benefit if they don't act
Those claiming the benefit - and have a child aged 16 years who is continuing education or moving into approved training - will need to update their details to extend their claim before August 31 HMRC has issued a warning to parents of teenagers as they could see their Child Benefit payments stop if they don't act soon. Those claiming the benefit - and have a child aged 16 years who is continuing education or moving into approved training - will need to update their details to extend their claim before August 31. Claimed by 7.62million households in the UK, 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. You're normally eligible if you're responsible for someone under the age of 16 - however, you may be able to keep on claiming until your child turns 20. When a child turns 16, it is up to the parent to tell the government if they want to keep claiming. The deadline for informing them is August. Under the rules, you continue to be eligible for Child Benefit if your child is undertaking 'approved' education or training for more than 12 hours a week. This includes studying for A levels, T levels, Scottish Highers, NVQs or similar qualifications, as well as traineeships. If your child is home-schooled, you will remain eligible if it began before the age of 16 or if the child has special educational needs or disabilities. You won't be eligible if your child is studying for an advanced course such as a university degree or BTEC Higher National Certificate, intermediate or advanced apprenticeship or a course paid for by an employer. Join Money Saving Club's specialist topics If your child is 16 years old and staying in approved education, then you will need to let HMRC know before the deadline. When your child leaves approved education or training, payments will stop getting Child Benefit at the end of February, May 31, August 31 or November 30, whichever comes first. HMRC is currently sending letters to thousands of households urging them to act. These letters will continue until the end of July. Parents can extend their claim through the HMRC app or online on The letters also contain a QR code, which will take them straight to the digital service on HMRC says updating your Child Benefit claim only takes "minutes." Last year, more than 870,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claim for their teen, with the majority doing so online. 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 or the HMRC app to confirm today.'
