Are You Getting the Money You Should for Your Children?
Who qualifies for Child Benefit in the UK?
If you are in the United Kingdom, do you qualify for Child Benefit? Any person responsible for bringing up a child can apply for Child Benefit, provided the child is:
Under 16
Under 20, if they stay in approved education or training.
But you cannot apply for child benefit once the child hits their 19th birthday. To receive it up to their 20th birthday, it must be in payment before the 19th birthday.
Can both parents claim Child Benefit for the same child?
Child Benefit can only be paid to one person per child. This means that two people can receive Child Benefit for two different children, but two people cannot claim for the same child.
Who Cannot Claim Child Benefit?
You cannot get Child Benefit if your child:
- Is in hospital or residential care for more than 12 weeks, unless you are still spending money on their needs.
- Is 16 or over, has left full-time education or training, and works more than 24 hours per week.
- Has been in prison or custody for the last 8 weeks or has been looked after by a local authority for the last 8 weeks.
- Is receiving any of the following benefits:
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Universal Credit
Tax Credits
Income Support
Employment and Support Allowance
- Is married or in a civil partnership, unless they are either not living with their partner or their partner is in full-time education or training.
If your child ceases to attend college, you must notify HMRC immediately. If you fail to do so, someone else may report the change, and you could be investigated for Child Benefit fraud. At best you will have to repay the child benefit and you may also be prosecuted.
Do I need to repay Child Benefit over £60,000?
If you or your partner earns over £60,000 per year, you may be required to pay back the Child Benefit received. However, if there is a Child Maintenance case, you still need to claim Child Benefit. In this case, you can select the option to be a qualifying case while opting not to receive any Child Maintenance.
Additional Information on Child Benefit Eligibility
Child Benefit is a financial support payment provided by the UK government to parents or guardians responsible for raising a child. Payments are made every four weeks and are not means-tested, meaning most families are eligible regardless of income. However, those earning over £60,000 may be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).
Payment Amounts (as of 2024)
First child: £24.00 per week
Additional children: £15.90 per week per child
Who Can Apply?
Biological parents, adoptive parents, and legal guardians
Grandparents or other relatives (if they are the main carer)
Foster parents (in some cases)
How to Apply
Applications can be made online via the HMRC website or by submitting a CH2 form via post. Processing can take up to 12 weeks, but payments can be backdated for up to three months.
If you or your partner earns over £60,000 per year, you may need to repay some or all of your Child Benefit through your tax return. The amount repaid increases on a sliding scale:
£60,000 - £80,000: Partial repayment required
£80,000+: Full repayment required
Paying into a pension can reduce what you have to pay back.
When to Report Changes
You must inform HMRC if:
Your child turns 16 and does not continue in education or training.
Your child moves out of your home.
Your child starts working more than 24 hours a week.
Your income exceeds £60,000
HMRC Child Benefit contact number
You can use Relay UK if you cannot hear or speak on the phone, dial 18001 then 0300 200 3100. Find out more on the Relay UK website.
0300 200 3100
Outside UK:
+44 161 210 3086Opening times:
Phone line opening hours are:
Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm
Closed weekends and bank holidays.
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