HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging millions of parents across the UK to act before August 31 to avoid losing up to £2,252 in Child Benefit payments. The alert, supported by MoneySavingExpert (MSE), founded by finance expert Martin Lewis, targets parents of children who have recently turned 16 and are continuing in full-time education or unpaid training.
According to DevonLive, the warning highlights the importance of confirming a child’s ongoing eligibility to prevent automatic payment suspension. HMRC has reminded families that failure to respond on time may result in disrupted payments from September, even if the child remains eligible.
Official Reminder for Parents With 16-Year-Olds
The official message from MoneySavingExpert on X (formerly known as Twitter), issued as part of a wider public awareness effort to prevent benefit interruptions, reads:
Child turned 16 and in full-time education or training? Act NOW to avoid losing Child Benefit! To keep getting your payments, contact HMRC by Sunday 31 August.
This follows a statement on Gov.uk:
As teenagers get their exam results, parents are urged to renew their Child Benefit claim by 31 August for payments to continue in September. Parents can quickly and easily extend their Child Benefit claim via the HMRC app or online to guarantee their payments.
The reminder targets parents of teenagers who remain in approved education or unpaid training after turning 16, as Child Benefit does not continue automatically in these cases. To keep receiving payments, you must respond to HMRC’s letter or update your status online before August 31.
What’s at Stake: £2,252, £1,355 or £897
Missing the August 31 deadline could result in a loss of £1,355 annually for the first or only child, £897 per year for each additional child, or £2,252 annually for a family with two children. These amounts are based on the 2025/26 Child Benefit rates, which are set at £26.05 per week for the first child (totalling £1,354.60 per year) and £17.25 per week for each additional child (equivalent to £897 per year).
You’re eligible for Child Benefit if your income is £60,000 or less. If you earn between £60,000 and £80,000, you’ll be affected by the high-income Child Benefit charge, which reduces the total amount received. Above £80,000, you may have to repay the full amount.
Even if income disqualifies you from receiving payment, claiming Child Benefit remains important for gaining National Insurance credits, which count toward your State Pension.
How to Claim and Key Deadlines
You can claim Child Benefit 48 hours after registering your child’s birth, or once a child comes to live with you. Claims can be backdated for up to three months from the date of application, but not beyond that period. Applications are accepted at any time until the child turns 16, or up to age 20 if they remain in qualifying full-time education or unpaid training.
Only one parent can claim Child Benefit per child. According to HMRC, if both parents attempt to claim at the higher rate for the same child, some of the money may have to be repaid.
Education and Training That Qualifies
According to MSE:
You may still be able to claim Child Benefit even after your child turns 16, provided they remain in approved full-time education or unpaid training. However, this ISN’T automatic. When your child turns 16, HMRC will send you a letter asking if they’re still in full-time education.
You’ll need to reply, or let HMRC know online, before 31 August after your child’s 16th birthday to keep getting your Child Benefit payments.
Approved education includes:
- A-levels
- NVQs
- Home education
It does not include:
- University degrees
- BTEC Higher National Certificate qualifications
Approved training must be unpaid, and includes:
- Traineeships
- (But not training provided as part of a paid employment contract)
Once the education or training ends, payments automatically stop at the end of:
- February
- May
- August
- November
Whichever comes first after the course ends.
How to Renew Using Hmrc Tools
You can easily renew or extend your Child Benefit claim using the HMRC app or through the Gov.uk online portal. These digital tools ensure payments continue without disruption and help avoid the risk of having to reapply or appeal for missed payments. HMRC encourages families to use these services to confirm or update their child’s eligibility status before the deadline.
Take Action Before August 31 to Keep Your Payments
To avoid losing out on £2,252, £1,355, or £897 per year in Child Benefit, parents must confirm their child’s educational status before Saturday 31 August. This applies to all children aged 16 or 17 who are continuing in qualifying education or training.
If no update is provided, HMRC will suspend payments starting in September. The process is quick, accessible, and can be done entirely online or via the HMRC app.
