More than a million parents will receive reminders to extend Child Benefit for their teenagers if they are continuing their education or training after their GCSEs.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is sending more than 1.4 million Child Benefit reconfirmation letters to parents between 24 May and 17 July. The letters will include a QR code which, when scanned, directs them straight to GOV.UK to update their claim quickly and easily online.
Child Benefit is worth up to £1,331 a year for the first or only child, and up to £881 a year for each additional child. Payments will automatically stop on 31 August on or after the child has turned 16 unless parents renew their claim where their child is continuing in education.
Parents have until 31 August to act, or their payments will automatically stop.
Letting HMRC know digitally that a child is continuing in education is the quickest way to get it sorted, with no need to contact HMRC by phone or post.
If you have not received a letter by 17 July, there is no need to worry – if eligible, you can still extend your Child Benefit claim via GOV.UK or the HMRC app.
Child Benefit can continue to be paid for children who are studying full time in approved non-advanced education, which includes:
- A levels or Scottish Highers
- International Baccalaureate
- Home education – if it started before their child turned 16, or after 16 if they have a statement of special educational needs and it was assessed by the local authority
- T levels
- NVQs, up to level 3.
Child Benefit will also continue for children studying on one of these unpaid approved training courses:
- in Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme;
- in Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work;
- in Scotland: Employability Fund programme and No One Left Behind.
If a child changes their mind about further education or training, parents can simply inform HMRC online or in the HMRC 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 2 forms of ID.