Parents across the UK are being reminded that a weekly payment from the Government could stop this summer. Depending on the age of your child, you might no longer be eligible for Child Benefit.
This weekly payment is worth £26.05 for your first child, and £17.25 each for any additional children. As reported by the Daily Record, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is expected to issue reminder letters to parents next month about extending Child Benefit for their teenage children if they are continuing their education or training.
Letters this year will include a QR code which, when scanned, directs them straight to GOV.UK to update their claim quickly and easily online. Last year, more than 1.4 million Child Benefit reconfirmation letters were issued across the UK to parents between May 24 and July 17.
The guidance will explain that payments will automatically stop on August 31 on or after the child has turned 16. This is the case unless parents renew their claim where their child is continuing in education.
If their 16 to 19-year-old intends to continue in approved education or training, parents can use the online service on GOV.UK or the HMRC app so they do not miss out. Education must be full-time (more than an average of 12 hours a week of supervised study or course-related work experience). This can include:
Your child must be accepted onto the course before they turn 19. You cannot get Child Benefit if your child is:
Approved training should be unpaid and can include:
Courses that are part of a job contract are not approved. If a child changes their mind about further education or training, parents can simply inform HMRC online or in the app and payments will be adjusted accordingly.
Parents will need a Government Gateway user ID and password to use HMRC’s online services. If they do not have one already, they can register on GOV.UK and will just need their National Insurance number or postcode, and two forms of ID.
For more information, visit gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19.
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