HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned that Child Benefit payments worth around £117.22 per month will automatically stop from September for some UK households if parents fail to act before a key deadline. The change mainly affects families with teenagers aged 16 to 19 continuing in education or training.
HMRC Child Benefit rule linked to September deadline
Parents are being urged to extend their Child Benefit claims by 31 August if their child is continuing in full-time education or approved training after GCSEs or National 5s. HMRC says failure to confirm eligibility will result in payments being automatically stopped from September.
Around 1.5 million reminder letters have been sent out, although HMRC has stressed that parents do not need to wait and can update their claims immediately using its online service or mobile app.
Child Benefit payments and updated rates
Following a recent 3.8% increase, Child Benefit now pays £27.05 per week for the first or only child and £17.90 per week for additional children. This equates to approximately £117.22 per month for one child over a full year.
Payments can continue for teenagers aged 16 to 19 only if they remain in eligible education or training, including non-advanced courses or approved unpaid training programmes. HMRC estimates that hundreds of thousands of families successfully extend their claims each year, with many completing the process digitally.
What happens if parents miss the deadline
If the extension is not completed by 31 August, payments will stop automatically once a child turns 16 or when the deadline passes, depending on circumstances. HMRC has made clear that no further payments will be issued until eligibility is confirmed.
The department has encouraged parents to act early rather than wait for reminder letters, especially where teenagers have already confirmed their education plans.
Possible tax charge for higher earners
Some households may also be affected by the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) if one parent earns between £60,000 and £80,000. In these cases, part or all of the benefit may need to be repaid through the tax system.
HMRC has reiterated that the Child Benefit system remains an important financial support for families, but compliance with eligibility rules is essential to avoid interruptions in payments.
HMRC urges parents to act early
Officials say extensions can be completed within minutes via the HMRC website or app. QR codes included in reminder letters also link directly to the online service.
HMRC Chief Customer Officer Myrtle Lloyd said families should not delay if they already know their teenager’s education plans, stressing that early action prevents payment disruption.
