Families could still be eligible for the payments – but will need to take one step
Parents could still be eligible for more than £100 monthly even when their child exceeds the standard age limit for Child Benefit. However, unless parents notify HMRC of their continued eligibility, payments will cease automatically once their child reaches 16.
HMRC has issued an alert to parents of teenagers aged 16 to 19, encouraging them to verify their entitlement as the benefit will end unless action is taken. The department posted on X: “Is your child aged 16–19 and staying in full-time education or approved training? You can keep getting Child Benefit until they turn 20!”
Child Benefit provides financial support for those responsible for raising a child, National Insurance credits for those who may need to reduce working hours due to caring responsibilities, and a National Insurance number for the child named on the claim.
For the eldest or only child, the payment stands at £26.05 weekly, approximately £104 monthly, while any subsequent children qualify for £17.25 per week each. Payments automatically cease in August on or following the child’s 16th birthday.
Should parents inform HMRC that their child is entering approved training or continuing in full-time education, the payments and associated benefits can extend until the child turns 20. Failure to notify the department will result in the benefit being discontinued once the child turns 16.
Qualifying education includes:
- A levels or similar, for example International Baccalaureate
- T levels
- GCSEs
- Scottish Highers
- NVQs and most vocational qualifications up to level 3
- home education
- study programmes in England
- a pre-apprenticeship
- Education where you cannot get Child Benefit
Approved training includes:
- Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme in Wales
- The No One Left Behind programme in Scotland
- PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work in Northern Ireland
HMRC defines ‘full time’ education as exceeding an average of 12 hours weekly of supervised study or course-related work experience. Nevertheless, if your child has an illness or disability they may be able to complete fewer hours if that proves more suitable for them.
Education and training that doesn’t qualify for extended Child Benefit:
- University degree
- BTEC Higher National Certificate
- Pre-degree course like a foundation diploma
- Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) level 7
- Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)
- Training course that is part of a job contract
- Apprenticeships not included in the approved list
- Doing a course with an employer’s agreement
Parents can notify authorities online if their child is continuing in approved education or training beyond the age of 16. These notifications must typically be submitted before August 31 to prevent interruptions in your payments.
More information on extending Child Benefit eligibility can be found on the Gov.uk website.
