Teenager turning 16? Don't miss out on Child Benefit
Parents of teenagers starting qualifying further education or training courses must extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August
- AboutĀ 1.5 million parents ofĀ 16-19 year-olds are toĀ receiveĀ reminderĀ lettersĀ in coming weeks.
- The quickest and easiest way to extend is via theĀ HMRCĀ appĀ or online atĀ °Ēøē³Ō¹Ļ.
Parents ofĀ 16-19 year-oldsĀ areĀ remindedĀ to extend their Child Benefit claim if theirĀ teenagerĀ is staying inĀ certain types ofĀ education or training after their GCSEsĀ orĀ National 5s.Ā
Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August on or after a childās 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenagerās plans.Ā Around 1.5 millionĀ reminderĀ letters will be sent from late April, with mostĀ landingĀ on doorstepsĀ in early May.Ā
ParentsĀ donātĀ need to wait for their letter.Ā HMĀ Revenue andĀ CustomsāĀ (HMRC)Ā digital serviceĀ for extendingĀ opened on 1 April,Ā so those who already know their teenagerās plans canĀ act today.Ā
Claim extensions can be made on theĀ HMRC appĀ or online atĀ °Ēøē³Ō¹Ļ.Ā The letters also include a QR code linking directly to the digital service.Ā
Child Benefit is worth Ā£27.05 a week ā or Ā£1,406.60 a year ā for the eldest or only child and Ā£17.90 a week for eachĀ additionalĀ child. Last year,Ā 874,000Ā parents extended their claim, withĀ more than halfĀ doing so online or through the HMRC ²¹±č±č.Ģż
Myrtle Lloyd,Ā HMRCāsĀ Chief Customer Officer, said:Ā
Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenagerĀ already knows theyāre staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s,Ā youĀ donātĀ need toĀ wait for our letter.Ā
You canĀ extend yourĀ Child BenefitĀ claim today in minutes viaĀ theĀ HMRC appĀ or online atĀ °Ēøē³Ō¹Ļ.
Child Benefit can continue forĀ teenagersĀ studying full time in non-advanced education, or on unpaid approved training courses. VisitĀ °Ēøē³Ō¹ĻĀ for the full list of eligible courses.Ā
IfĀ a Child BenefitĀ claimant or their partner has an individual income of between Ā£60,000 and Ā£80,000, the higher earner may be liable for theĀ High IncomeĀ Child Benefit ChargeĀ (HICBC). Use theĀ Child Benefit tax calculator on °Ēøē³Ō¹ĻĀ for an estimate. Parents can pay the charge through their PAYE tax code using the HICBC digital service, or throughĀ Self Assessment.Ā
Further information
More information onĀ Child Benefit for 16-19-year-olds.
Around 1.5 million letters will be sent to parents of 16-19-year-olds from late April 2026. Letters are expected to arrive from 8 May.
Parents do not need to wait for their letter. The digital service is open now atĀ °Ēøē³Ō¹ĻĀ and on theĀ HMRC app.
Parents only need to act if their teenager is starting a new course or qualifying training in September. Those already partway through a course previously notified to HMRC do not need to contact us.
Full-time education means more than an average of 12 hours a week of supervised study or course-related work experience.Ā This includes home schooling.Ā If a child has an illness or disability, they may be able to do fewer hours where this isĀ appropriate forĀ them.
Child Benefit cannot be claimed if aĀ teenagerās course is part of a job contract.
Parents can view and manage their claim via the HMRC app, including viewing payment information, proof of entitlement, and adding children.
QR codes inĀ HMRCĀ letters will always direct to °Ēøē³Ō¹Ļ or the HMRC app. Report suspicious emails with QR codes toĀ phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.