What is child benefit and how do I claim?

The chancellor announced significant changes to child benefit in his spring budget earlier this year. Here we explain what the payment is, how it is changing and how you can claim for your kids.

Child benefit is money given to parents, or those responsible for children, by the government to help with the cost of raising each of their little ones. It could be worth over £17,000 for your child or more if you have more than one.

While anyone can make a claim, the system can be difficult to navigate, especially if you or your partner earn more than a certain amount each year.

In this article, we cover:

• What is child benefit?
• How much is child benefit?
• Who qualifies for child benefit?
• What is the child benefit deadline?
• When do child benefit payments stop?

Read more: How does Universal Credit work?

What is child benefit?

Child benefit was first introduced in 1977, offering payments to parents or guardians to help them raise their children. In 2013 the rules changed so that those who earn over a certain threshold could be liable for the high-income child benefit charge.

Currently, you might have to pay back some of your child benefit in tax if your or your partner’s individual income exceeds £60,000 a year (2024/25 tax year).

In his 2024 spring budget, chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced further changes to this charge (see below).

How much is child benefit?

There are two rates of child benefit payment:

• £25.60 a week for the oldest or only child
• £16.95 a week for each other child

There is no limit to how many children that you can claim for.

If you break up with your spouse and have two children, one which stays with you and the other with your ex-partner, you would both get £25.60 a week for each child.

If two families combine, the eldest child in the household qualifies for the higher rate and the other children will get the £16.95 rate.

Who qualifies for child benefit?

To be eligible for child benefit, you must be responsible for a child or children:

• under 16
• aged 16 or 17 and has left education or training and meets child benefit “extension period” rules; or
• between the ages of 16 and 20 provided they are still in approved education or training, which they were accepted on before turning 19

Approved education or training includes:

• A-levels
• Scottish Highers
• NVQs up to Level 3
• And certain traineeships

There are also a number of other conditions under which your child won’t be eligible. For example, if they have been in prison, hospital for more than 12 weeks or if they are married.

Those living abroad generally can’t claim although there are some exceptions.

When can you make a child benefit claim?

You can claim child benefit as soon as you’ve registered your child’s birth. Payments can be backdated for three months so remember to start claiming before the baby is three months old.

Adoptive parents can claim as soon as your child comes to live with you.

Foster carers can claim as long as the council is not paying towards the child’s accommodation or maintenance.

When will child benefit be paid?

The payment will be paid into your bank account every four weeks and only paid to one parent or guardian, not both. But if you’re a single parent or in receipt of certain other benefits, such as income support, you can have the money paid weekly.

If you are applying for the first time, you could have to wait up to 12 weeks to receive your first payment if applying by post. You could get your first payment within three days if you register online or using the app.

The amount you receive won’t reduce other benefit payments unless the benefit cap applies.

What is the child benefit deadline?

Once your child turns 16, you need to let HMRC know whether they are staying in full-time education or approved training.

Parents with older children have until August 31 to update their child benefit records or risk their payments being stopped. This applies to young people aged 16 to 19.

You can update your child benefit records using their personal tax account on gov.uk or return a completed copy of the form you were sent earlier in the year.

When do child benefit payments stop?

Child benefit payments stop on 31 August after your child turns 16 if they leave education or training.

If your child is in approved full-time education or training, you can continue receiving child benefit until they are 19.

You must report any change in your circumstances to the Child Benefit Office.

What is the high income charge?

If you are claiming child benefit and you or your partner earns more than £60,000 a year in the 2024/25 tax year, you must pay the high-income child benefit charge.

We go into more detail about this high income charge in our guide. If you or your partner fall into this category, you need to register for a self-assessment tax return.

How do you claim child benefit?

If you are claiming child benefit for the first time, there are a number of steps that you need to follow. You can start the process online or by post. You can call the HMRC helpline on 0300 200 3100 if you are adding a child to an existing claim.

• Apple device  – download the HMRC app from the App Store 
• Android device  – download the HMRC app from the Google Play Store 

If you want to apply by post, you will need to download and fill out the claim form on gov.uk. You may have received this form when you are discharged from hospital following the birth of your baby. Adoptive parents will need the original adoption certificate to be sent with the form.

You will need to have certain documents and information to hand, including your:

• child’s birth or adoption certificate – you can order a copy for £11 if you have lost it on gov.uk. It should arrive four days after you have applied.
• child’s passport – if they were born outside the UK
• National Insurance (NI) number (and your partner’s, if you have one) – you can apply for one online if you don’t have an NI number on gov.uk.
• information about your pre-tax earnings
• bank, building society or Post Office account details
• other children’s child benefit numbers (on your letters from HMRC) if claiming for an additional child

Why is claiming child benefit so important?

If you are taking time out from work to bring up a child, it’s important that you register for child benefit. Not only could you potentially receive thousands of pounds extra support for your child, it could affect your pension.

That applies even if your partner earns more than £80,000, meaning you wouldn’t be eligible to receive any money. This is because you will get vital national insurance credits that help protect your state pension:

• National insurance credits are used to determine how much state pension you will get in later life
• You usually build up your NI record by paying NI contributions from what you earn
• If you have a child under 12 and aren’t working, you earn NI credits by applying for child benefit instead

‘Should I buy national insurance years to top-up my state pension?’

Does it matter which parent claims child benefit?

Yes, it does. Make sure that the low-earning partner applies for child benefit in order to protect their national insurance record. This is because:

• You need 35 years of NI records to receive the full state pension
• Each missed year could cost you around £260.30 a year in pension payments
• You usually need a minimum of 10 years to get anything

REMEMBER: If you’ve missed out on national insurance credits, these can only be backdated by three months

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