UK households that missed the important Child Benefit deadline have received updated rules. Typically, Child Benefit payments stop on August 31, four weeks after a child's 16th birthday if they are leaving education or training.
However, parents can still receive Child Benefit if their child continues with further education or starts an apprenticeship, provided they inform HMRC.
HMRC Clarifies Child Benefit Extension Rules and Deadline for Claims
HMRC usually sends a letter during the child’s final year of high school, which gives parents the chance to update their information and ensure their payments continue without interruption before the August 31 deadline.
HMRC reported reaching out to 1.5 million parents between May and July, urging them to renew their Child Benefit claims by August 31. By mid-August, over 522,000 parents had responded, leaving around one million still needing to contact HMRC. After concerns were raised in BirminghamLive’s Cost of Living Facebook group, the team at BirminghamLive sought clarification from HMRC on what happens if parents missed the deadline but later chose to keep their benefit application active.
A spokesman for HMRC told BirminghamLive: “August 31 is the date by which customers should update their claim online to ensure their payments will be extended before their next payment is due and therefore avoid facing any break in payments. It is still possible to extend after August 31 – if, for example, a teen is still deciding on their plans — but the customer's payments may cease in that time.
“As long as the parent extends within three months of the payments ceasing and the eligibility criteria are met, payments will be backdated.”
Child Benefit can be extended for children over 16 who are enrolled in full-time non-advanced education. This includes programs such as A-Levels or Scottish Highers, the International Baccalaureate, home education (if started before age 16 or after 16 with a special educational needs statement assessed by the local authority), T Levels, and NVQs up to level 3.
HMRC Updates Child Benefit Rules: Eligibility, Payments, and Renewal Process
To continue receiving Child Benefit, your child must be accepted into the course before turning 19. However, Child Benefit cannot be claimed if your child is pursuing advanced education, such as a university degree or a BTEC Higher National Certificate.
Approved training courses for Child Benefit must be unpaid and can include Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships, or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme in Wales; the No One Left Behind programme in Scotland; and PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success, or Skills for Life and Work in Northern Ireland. Child Benefit is not available for courses that are part of a job contract and funded by an employer.
Child Benefit is issued every four weeks, typically on a Monday or Tuesday. Over the course of a year, the total amount is £1,331.20 for one child and £2,212.60 for two children. If a child continues their education or training for an additional two years after turning 16 without notifying HMRC, you could forfeit £2,662.40 for one child or £4,425.20 for two. For a three-year program, the potential loss would be £3,993.60 for one child or £6,637.80 for two.
When your child quits approved education or training, benefits will cease at the end of February, May 31, August 31, or November 30, whichever occurs first.
Parents can renew their Child Benefit claim online or through the HMRC app. Parents will require a Government Gateway user ID and password to access HMRC's online services. If they don't already have one, they can register on GOV.UK with simply their National Insurance number or postcode and two forms of identification.