Parents of teenagers aged 16 to 19 must act before August 31, 2025, to avoid a disruption in their Child Benefit payments, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Families across the UK will receive over 1.5 million letters urging them to confirm whether their child is continuing in full-time education or approved training. Failure to respond means payments will automatically stop once the child turns 16.
According to a report by Western Telegraph, the HMRC renewal campaign aims to simplify the process and encourage early action to avoid missing out on financial support many families rely on during transition
Child Benefit Will End Automatically Unless Renewed
Child Benefit payments automatically stop on August 31 on or after a child’s 16th birthday, unless the child is enrolled in full-time approved education or unpaid training. This policy ensures support only continues for those still meeting eligibility requirements.
Parents must respond even if they received Child Benefit previously.
Last year, over 870,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claim. Most used the HMRC app or online service, completing the process in just a few minutes. Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, emphasized the urgency:
“Child Benefit is an important boost to families. As soon as you know what your teenager is planning to do, extend your claim in minutes to guarantee your payments continue in September. Simply go to GOV.UK or the HMRC app to confirm today.”
What Qualifies as Approved Education or Training
To remain eligible, a teenager must be in full-time education, defined as more than 12 hours a week of supervised study or work experience. Approved qualifications include:
- A levels, T levels, Scottish Highers, NVQs up to level 3
- International Baccalaureate
- Study programmes in England or pre-apprenticeships
- Home education, if it began before age 16 or if the child has a special educational needs plan
Approved unpaid training varies by region:
- Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Jobs Growth Wales+
- Scotland: No One Left Behind
- Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success, Skills for Life and Work
Courses linked to paid employment, job contracts, or higher education (like university or BTEC Higher National Certificates) do not qualify.
How to Extend the Claim
Only the person currently claiming the Child Benefit can update the child’s status. Parents do not need to wait for the letter to act—the service is already open on GOV.UK and via the HMRC app. For those unable to use digital tools, telephone and postal options remain available.
Once signed in, claimants have access to a range of account management features: they can view their payment schedule, add additional children to the claim, download a proof of claim, and update their personal details quickly and securely through the digital platform.
Child Benefit is currently:
- £26.05 per week (£1,354.60 per year) for the eldest or only child
- £17.25 per week (£897.00 per year) for each additional child
These payments can continue as long as the child remains in approved education or training.
Possible 20-Week Extension After Education Ends
If a child leaves education or training, families may qualify for an additional 20-week extension if the teenager meets specific conditions.
The young person must be aged 16 or 17, work fewer than 24 hours per week, and not be receiving certain benefits. They must also have either registered with a local careers service or signed up to join the armed forces.
To be eligible, the family must have been entitled to Child Benefit immediately before the teenager left education or training, and the application must be submitted within three months of their departure from the course.
Changes to the High Income Child Benefit Charge
The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) is changing from this summer. Parents will have the option to pay the charge directly through their PAYE tax code, offering a more streamlined process, or they can continue using Self Assessment if they prefer.
To assist families in understanding their entitlement and potential charge, an online calculator on GOV.UK helps estimate both the benefit amount and any charge owed.
Children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 may have a Child Trust Fund account, often worth thousands of pounds. At age 16, teenagers can take control of the account. They gain full access to the funds at age 18.
If the provider is unknown, parents or teens can use this free tool on GOV.UK to find their account: Find your Child Trust Fund provider
