Extend Child Benefit for your 16-19-year-old

More than a million parents nationwide will shortly be receiving reminders 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 May 24 and July 17.

Payments will automatically stop on August 31 on or after the child has
turned 16 unless parents renew their claim where their child is continuing
in education.

The letters will include a QR code which, when scanned, directs them
straight to GOV.UK to update their claim quickly and easily online.

Don’t Lose Out

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.

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.

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

What Should I Do?

Parents have until August 31 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 you have not received their letter by July 17, there is no need to
worry – if eligible, you can still extend their Child Benefit claim
via GOV.UK or the HMRC app.

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 you do not have one already, you can register on GOV.UK  and will
just need your National Insurance number or postcode, and two forms of ID.