HMRC Reminds Parents To Extend Child Benefit For 16-19 Year Olds

Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds are being reminded by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31st August if their child is continuing in full-time education or approved training, to prevent payments from stopping automatically.

Child Benefit payments cease on 31st August on or after a child's 16th birthday unless HMRC is informed that the young person is remaining in education or training.

Between May and July, letters will be issued to parents prompting them to confirm their teenager's plans online after they complete their GCSEs. This can be done quickly and easily via the HMRC app or on the GOV.UK website. The letters will include a QR code for direct access to the online service.

Currently, Child Benefit is worth £26.05 per week (or £1,354.60 annually) for the eldest or only child, and £17.25 per week (or £897 annually) for each additional child. Last year, over 870,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claims for their teenagers, with the majority using the online or app-based confirmation process.

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 GOV.UK or the HMRC app to confirm today.” Child Benefit can continue for young people in full-time, non-advanced education or on unpaid approved training courses. Full eligibility criteria can be checked on GOV.UK.

For households where either the claimant or their partner has an individual income between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner will be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. An online Child Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK can provide an estimate of the benefit received and the potential charge.

Starting this summer, as part of the government's 'Plan for Change', eligible families will have the option to pay this charge directly through their PAYE tax code, rather than filing a Self Assessment tax return. This new digital service aims to reduce red tape for employed parents liable for the charge, though the option to pay via Self Assessment will remain.

Families who have previously opted out of Child Benefit payments can opt back in and restart their payments quickly online or via the HMRC app.

HMRC also reminds parents and young people that teenagers turning 16 can take control of their Child Trust Fund savings account, which could hold thousands of pounds. These funds can be withdrawn once they turn 18. Child Trust Funds were established for every child born between 1st September 2002 and 2nd January 2011. If the provider is unknown, a free online tool on GOV.UK can help locate the account.