Child Benefit payments to increase from next week
Parents encouraged to claim and manage Child Benefit via the HMRC app
1.2 million parents have used the digital service to claim their Child Benefit
Families who claim Child Benefit will see an increase in their payment next week, says HM Revenue
and Customs (HMRC).
From 7 April 2025, parents will receive £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. Child Benefit is usually paid
every 4 weeks and will automatically be paid into a bank account. There is no limit to how many
children parents can claim for.
The quickest and easiest way for parents and carers to claim, view and manage Child Benefit
payments is by downloading the free and secure HMRC app. A new function in the app means they
get a notification once their claim is received and payment in as little as 3 days.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:
“Extra pounds count and Child Benefit can give your household budget a boost. Claiming online or
managing your Child Benefit payments via the HMRC app is quick and easy so, if you haven’t
already, go to GOV.UK to start your claim today.”
Families have used the app more than 6 million times in the last year to manage their Child Benefit
payments, including:
· making a new claim
· updating a change in circumstances
· amending personal or bank details
adding additional children to a claim
· viewing or printing Proof of Entitlement to Child Benefit
· telling us their children are continuing in full time, non-advanced education or approved
training
For the attention of Newsdesks & personal finance correspondents No. of pages: 3
Date: 1 April 2025 Ref: NAT 09 25
OFFICIAL
Over 1.2 million parents have claimed their Child Benefit through the HMRC app or via the digital
service, since the service went online in May 2023. More than 87% of claims are now digital.
Families are encouraged to claim Child Benefit as soon as they can after their baby is born as it can
only be backdated up to 3 months.
To make a claim for Child Benefit, parents will need to create an online HMRC account and will
need:
child’s birth or adoption certificate
bank details
National Insurance number for themselves and their partner, if they have one
child’s original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document, for children born
outside the UK.
HMRC has released a new youtube video explaining how new parents can make a claim.
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.
In the Spring Statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves announced a new service as
part of the government’s Plan for Change, that will cut red tape for eligible employed parents who are
liable to the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
From the summer, families will have the option to report their Child Benefit payments and pay the
charge directly through their PAYE tax code instead of filing a Self Assessment tax return.
The new digital service will be optional and 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.
A person living in a household subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge will still receive
National Insurance credits if they claim Child Benefit but choose to opt out of receiving payments.
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