Parents are being reminded that they have less than two weeks to inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if their teenagers aged 16 to 19 will continue in education or training.
As GCSE results are released this Thursday, 22 August, many teenagers will make decisions about their future. Parents must update HMRC by 31 August to avoid having their Child Benefit payments stopped.
If their child continues in approved education or training, parents can keep receiving Child Benefit. HMRC encourages them to extend their claim now.
Claims can be extended online via GOV.UK or the HMRC app. Over 270,000 parents have already extended their claims digitally, avoiding long wait times on the phone.
Even if parents have opted out of Child Benefit payments due to the High Income Child Benefit Charge, they should keep their claim details updated. Those wishing to start receiving payments again can also do so quickly online or through the HMRC app.
Child Benefit provides up to £1,331 per year for the first or only child and up to £881 per year for each additional child.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said, “Child Benefit is vital financial support for many families, and we want to ensure no eligible family misses out.”
Victoria Benson, CEO of Gingerbread, a charity for single parent families, stressed the importance of extending claims before the 31 August deadline. “Child Benefit is crucial for families, especially single parents who manage on a single income. It’s essential to extend your claim as soon as possible to avoid missing out.”
Child Benefit continues for children in full-time non-advanced education, including:
A levels or Scottish Highers
International Baccalaureate
Home education (if started before age 16, or after age 16 with a special educational needs statement)
T levels
NVQs up to level 3
In Wales, Child Benefit also covers children in Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships, or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme.
If a child’s plans change, parents can update HMRC online or via the app, and payments will be adjusted.
Parents can check their claim status anytime through the app or online. To use HMRC’s online services, they need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If they don’t have one, they can register on GOV.UK with their National Insurance number or postcode, and two forms of ID.