Parents of teenagers starting to qualify for further education or training courses must extend their
Child Benefit claim by 31 August
About 1.5 million parents of 16-19-year-olds are to receive reminder letters in coming weeks
The quickest and easiest way to extend is via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK
Parents of 16-19-year-olds are reminded to extend their Child Benefit claim if their teenager is
staying in certain types of education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s.
Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August on or after a child’s 16th birthday unless parents
confirm their teenager’s plans. Around 1.5 million reminder letters will be sent from late April, with
most landing on doorsteps in early May.
Parents don’t need to wait for their letter. HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) digital service for
extending claims opened on 1 April, so those who already know their teenager’s plans can act today.
Claim extensions can be made on the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The letters also include a
QR code linking directly to the digital service.
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 a week – or £1,406.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.90 a
week for each additional child. Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with more than half
doing so online or through the HMRC app.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said:
“Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenager already knows they’re staying
in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s, you don’t need to wait for our letter.
“You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK.”
Child Benefit can continue for teenagers studying full time in non-advanced education, or on unpaid
approved training courses. Visit GOV.UK for the full list of eligible courses.
If a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000,
the higher earner may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). Use the Child
Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK for an estimate. Parents can pay the charge through their PAYE
tax code using the HICBC digital service, or through Self Assessment.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/download-the-hmrc-app
https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-tax-calculator
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