Thousands of parents and carers could still reclaim Child Benefit payments after payments were stopped when HMRC was not notified that teenagers remained in approved education or training. Families who missed the August deadline can still act before November 30, 2026 to restore their claims and recover money they may be owed.
Parents Have Until November 30 to Act
HMRC stopped Child Benefit payments in September for families who had not confirmed by August 31 that their 16 to 19-year-old was continuing in approved education or training.
Parents and carers can still reinstate their claims. Child Benefit can be backdated by up to three months, meaning those who act by November 30 can potentially recover payments dating back to the September stoppage.
The amount available depends on the number of children in the household and the period for which payments were missed.
How Much Child Benefit Can Families Receive?
The current Child Benefit rate is £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child, plus £17.90 for each additional child. A family with one eligible child could therefore receive around £324 in backdated payments for three months of missed benefits.
Households with multiple children may be entitled to more, depending on their circumstances and the period covered by the reinstated claim.
Which Teenagers Qualify?
Child Benefit can continue after a child turns 16 if they remain in approved education or training. Eligible education can include courses such as:
- A-Levels
- NVQs
- Certain other approved non-advanced education
- Approved home education
Payments may also continue for teenagers taking part in approved training. Children who need to study at home because of illness or disability can also qualify in certain circumstances.
The child generally needs to live with the person claiming Child Benefit, or that person must contribute at least the equivalent amount towards the child’s upkeep. Only one person can claim Child Benefit for the same child.
University Courses Are Not Included
Not every form of education qualifies for continued Child Benefit. University degree courses and BTEC qualifications are not eligible under the rules described by HMRC. Payments also stop once the child leaves their approved education or training.
Parents do not need to contact HMRC every time a teenager progresses to the next year of an eligible full-time, non-advanced education course. In that situation, Child Benefit can continue automatically.
What Parents Need to Do
Families affected by the September payment stoppage should contact HMRC and provide confirmation that their teenager remains in approved education or training. Parents who act before November 30, 2026 can still have their Child Benefit claim reinstated and potentially receive backdated payments.
HMRC said: “There is still time to help your parent or carer employees receive the Child Benefit payments they are entitled to. Anyone who wants to continue receiving Child Benefit should act before 30 November 2026 to get their full entitlement.“
For families who missed the original August 31 deadline, checking their claim before the November deadline could make the difference between recovering the missed payments and losing part of their entitlement.
