Parents urged to renew child benefit for teens continuing their education

Child benefit reminder from HMRC

More than a million parents will have received reminders this month, to extend child benefit for their teenagers if they are continuing their education or training after their GCSEs.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is sending more than 1.4 million child benefit reconfirmation letters to parents between 24 May and 17 July. The letters will include a QR code which, when scanned, directs them straight to GOV.UK to update their claim quickly and easily online.

Child benefit is worth up to £1,331 a year for the first or only child, and up to £881 a year for each additional child. Payments will automatically stop on 31 August on or after the child has turned 16 unless parents renew their claim where their child is continuing in education.

If their 16-19 year-old intends to continue in approved education or training, parents can use the online service on GOV.UK or the HMRC app so they do not miss out.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Child Benefit is an important financial support for many families, so make sure you don’t miss out on any payments if your teenager intends to continue approved education or training.

"You can quickly and easily extend your claim online or via the HMRC app, just search ‘Child Benefit when your child turns 16’ on GOV.UK.”

Parents have until 31 August to take action or their payments will automatically stop. Letting HMRC know digitally that a child is continuing in education is the quickest way to get it sorted, with no need to contact them by phone or post.

If a customer has not received their letter by 17 July, there is no need to worry – if eligible, they can still extend their claim via GOV.UK or the HMRC app.

Child Benefit can continue to be paid for children who are studying full time in approved non-advanced education, which includes:

• A-levels or Scottish Highers
• International Baccalaureate
• Home education - if it started before their child turned 16, or after 16 if they have a statement of special educational needs and it was assessed by the local authority
• T-levels
• NVQs, up to level 3.

If a child changes their mind about further education or training, parents can simply inform HMRC online or in the HMRC app and payments will be adjusted accordingly.

Parents will need a Government Gateway user ID and password to use HMRC’s online services. If they do not have one already, they can register on GOV.UK and will just need their National Insurance number or postcode, and two forms of ID.