The warning affects parents whose children have reached, or are approaching, the age at which Child Benefit would normally end. According to HMRC, claims must be extended by 31 August if a teenager plans to remain in eligible education or approved training after completing GCSEs or National 5s.
Parents do not need to wait for a reminder letter before taking action. HMRC’s online service and mobile app already allow families to extend their claims if they know their teenager’s plans for the next academic year.
The payments can represent a significant part of household income. For the 2026/27 tax year, Child Benefit is worth £27.05 per week for an eldest or only child and £17.90 per week for each additional child.
Deadline Affects Families with Teenagers Aged 16 to 19
Child Benefit automatically stops on 31 August on or after a child’s 16th birthday unless parents confirm that the young person is continuing in qualifying education or approved training. According to HMRC, around 1.5 million reminder letters are being sent from late April, with most expected to arrive during early May.
For families with one child, the payment amounts to £27.05 per week, equivalent to £108.20 every four weeks or £1,406.60 a year. Where there is more than one child, additional payments of £17.90 per week are available for each younger child. A family with two children, for example, currently receives £194.83 every four weeks.
HMRC noted that 874,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claims last year, with more than half choosing to do so online or through the HMRC app. The digital service for extending claims opened on 1 April, allowing families to confirm eligibility before receiving a letter. Child Benefit is available to people with parental responsibility for a child under 16, or under 20 if the young person remains in full-time non-advanced education or approved training.
HMRC Urges Eligible Parents to Act before 31 August
According to HMRC Chief Customer Officer Myrtle Lloyd, families whose teenagers already know they will continue in education or training do not need to delay. She said: “Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenager already knows they’re staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s, you don’t need to wait for your letter.”
Lloyd added that parents can extend their claim “today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK”.
HMRC said Child Benefit can continue for teenagers studying full-time in non-advanced education or taking part in unpaid approved training courses. The government advises families to check GOV.UK for details of eligible courses.
The department also highlighted the High Income Child Benefit Charge. Where a claimant or their partner has an individual income between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be required to pay the charge. HMRC said families can use the Child Benefit tax calculator available on GOV.UK to estimate any liability and can settle the charge through their PAYE tax code or via Self Assessment.
Parents who wish to continue receiving Child Benefit beyond August must therefore ensure their child’s education or training status is confirmed before the 31 August deadline.
