Child Benefit warning as parents face August 31 deadline

Families with children aged 16 to 19 have until 31 August to tell HMRC whether their teenager is staying in approved full-time education or training.

The warning comes just days before GCSE results day on Thursday, August 20, when hundreds of thousands of teenagers will decide what to do next.

If a teenager is continuing in qualifying non-advanced education or approved training, parents can extend their Child Benefit claim. But if they fail to respond by the deadline, payments will stop automatically.

More than 372,000 parents have already extended their claims digitally.

Parents can complete the process in just a few minutes using the HMRC app or GOV.UK. Those who received a letter from HMRC can also scan the QR code to access the service.

Child Benefit is currently worth up to £1,406.60 a year for the eldest or only child, or £930.80 for each additional child.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Exam results season is a big moment for teenagers deciding their next steps, and it’s the perfect time for parents to confirm those plans with us.

“Child Benefit is a vital source of support for many families and we don’t want anyone to miss out. It only takes a few minutes using the HMRC app or GOV.UK, so make sure you’re receiving the payments you’re entitled to.”

Who can continue receiving Child Benefit?

Child Benefit can continue while a young person remains in full-time, non-advanced education, including:

• A levels
• T levels
• Scottish Highers
• NVQs up to Level 3
• Certain approved training schemes

Parents only need to act if their teenager is starting a new qualifying course or training in September. Those already partway through a course that HMRC has previously been told about do not need to contact them.

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However, Child Benefit does not continue for children doing a university degree, a standard apprenticeship in England, or a course forming part of a job contract.

Parents must also tell HMRC if their child’s circumstances change, such as leaving education or starting a paid apprenticeship, to avoid being overpaid.

Around 1.5 million parents have received letters from HMRC this year reminding them to extend their claim by August 31.