HMRC Child Benefit increase 2026 new amount confirmed

HMRC pays Child Benefit, and families with one child will now receive the new amount of £27.05 per week, up from £26.05 each week.

Families will also receive £17.90 per week (up from £17.25) for each additional child they have after that. There is no limit to how many children families can claim for.

Payments will increase in line with the Consumer Price Index for the year to September 2025, which is 3.8%. As a result, from April 2026:

• Child Benefit for the eldest child will rise from £26.05 to £27.05 per week
• Payments for additional children will go from £17.25 to £17.90 per week
• Guardian’s Allowance will increase from £22.10 to £22.95 per week

Child Benefit, normally paid every four weeks, means families will receive:

• £108.20 for the eldest child
• £71.60 for each additional child
• £91.80 for Guardian’s Allowance

Families with ongoing claims do not need to contact HMRC, as the increased benefit payment will continue to be paid directly into their bank accounts. Anyone who needs to update their personal details, such as a change of bank account or address, can do so online at GOV.UK.

Parents of newborns can also backdate their claims by up to three months.

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You get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:

• under 16
• or under 20, if they stay in approved education or training

If you or your partner earn over the Child Benefit threshold

If either you or your partner’s income (after deductions) is over the threshold, you may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

This income is before any personal allowances and Gift Aid, but includes interest from savings and dividends.

Work out if your adjusted net income is over the threshold using the Child Benefit tax calculator. If it is, the calculator will also tell you how much charge you’ll have to pay.

If both you and your partner have an individual income that’s over the threshold, then whoever has the higher adjusted net income is responsible for paying the charge.

If either you or your partner has an individual income of £80,000 or more above the threshold, you’ll be charged the same amount as you make through Child Benefit payments. You’ll end up with no extra money from Child Benefit, but you can still get the other advantages provided by Child Benefit, like National Insurance credits.

You’ll also need to fill in a Self Assessment tax return each tax year to pay the charge.

Child Benefit and National Insurance Credits

You’ll get National Insurance credits automatically if you claim Child Benefit and your child is under 12.

These credits count towards your State Pension, so you do not have gaps in your National Insurance record while you’re raising a child if either:

• you’re not working
• you do not earn enough to pay National Insurance contributions

If you do not need the National Insurance credits, your family may be eligible to get the support instead. Either:

• your husband, wife or partner can apply to transfer the credits
• a different family member who provides care for your child can apply for Specified Adult Childcare credits

Only one person can get Child Benefit for each child.