Urgent HMRC Alert: Child Benefit Payments at Risk for Parents

Parents across the UK are being urged to take immediate action regarding their Child Benefit payments, which may cease this summer if they do not confirm their child's educational status. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is set to send out reminder letters next month, highlighting the importance of keeping their claims updated.

Key Takeaways

• Child Benefit payments may stop automatically on August 31 after a child turns 16 unless parents confirm continued education.

• Payments are £26.05 for the first child and £17.25 for each additional child.

• Parents must inform HMRC if their child is continuing in approved education or training to maintain their benefits.

Understanding Child Benefit Payments

Child Benefit is a crucial financial support for families, providing a weekly allowance to help with the costs of raising children. The current rates are:

• £26.05 for the first child

• £17.25 for each subsequent child

However, eligibility for these payments changes as children reach certain ages. Payments will automatically stop when a child turns 16 unless parents take action to confirm their child's ongoing education or training.

Important Dates and Actions

HMRC will send out reminder letters to parents starting next month. These letters will include a QR code that directs parents to the GOV.UK website, allowing them to update their claims quickly and easily. Last year, over 1.4 million letters were sent out during this period.

Parents should be aware of the following key dates:

• August 31: Payments will cease for children who turn 16 unless a claim is renewed.

• Before 19th Birthday: Children must be enrolled in approved education or training before their 19th birthday to continue receiving benefits.

Approved Education and Training

To continue receiving Child Benefit, children aged 16 to 19 must be engaged in full-time education or approved training. This includes:

• A levels or equivalent qualifications (e.g., International Baccalaureate)

• T levels

• Scottish Highers

• NVQs and vocational qualifications up to level 3

• Home education (if started before age 16 or after with special educational needs)

• Study programmes in England

• Pre-apprenticeships

What Disqualifies Child Benefit Claims?

Parents should note that Child Benefit cannot be claimed if:

• The child is pursuing a university degree or BTEC Higher National Certificate (advanced course)

• The child is engaged in an apprenticeship (unless it’s a Foundation Apprenticeship in Wales)

• The child is undertaking a course with an employer's agreement to secure employment or skills for a job they already hold

How to Update Your Claim

To ensure continued payments, parents must inform HMRC if their child is continuing in education or training. This can be done through:

• The online service on GOV.UK

• The HMRC app

Parents will need a Government Gateway user ID and password to access these services. If they do not have one, they can register on the GOV.UK website using their National Insurance number or postcode, along with two forms of ID.

For more detailed information, parents are encouraged to visit the official government website regarding Child Benefit for children aged 16 to 19.

Sources

• Parents urged to contact HMRC or risk losing weekly child payment, Daily Star.

• Child Benefit reminder as some payments stop this summer unless you contact HMRC, Liverpool Echo.

• HMRC needs parents to get in touch or face losing weekly payment, Devon Live.