One week left to update post-16 Child Benefit claims

Photo: HMRC

Child Benefit is paid to eligible parents or carers who are responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they are in full-time non-advanced education or approved training

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding parents and carers of 16- to 19-year-olds that they have just one week left to confirm whether their teenager is staying in full-time education or approved training.

While young people are considering their future beyond their GCSE results, HMRC is asking parents and carers to make sure they update their Child Benefit records by 31 August, or risk seeing their payments end.

HMRC has written to 1.3 million parents and carers of children, who are in the last year of school or education, to remind them to update their Child Benefit records. More than 600,000 families have already notified HMRC, but many more have yet to do so.

Parents and carers can update their Child Benefit records using their Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK, by returning a completed copy of the form they were sent earlier in the year, or by telephone.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, said: “Child Benefit provides vital financial support for families and we want to make sure no-one misses out because they haven’t updated their details on time. The quickest way to notify HMRC is via your Personal Tax Account online, or search ‘child benefit when your child turns 16’ on GOV.UK for more information or further options for contacting us.”

Child Benefit is paid to eligible parents or carers who are responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they are in full-time non-advanced education or approved training. This includes  A-levels, NVQs up to Level 3, or certain traineeships – a list of approved courses and training schemes is available on GOV.UK.