Parents of teenagers aged 16 to 19 are being reminded by HMRC to confirm their Child Benefit eligibility before the fast-approaching deadline of August 31, 2025. This reminder is crucial for families whose children will continue their education or training in September, as failing to update their claim could result in payments stopping automatically after the child’s 16th birthday.
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Why Acting Before the Deadline Matters
Child Benefit provides valuable financial support to families, with payments stopping unless parents take action to extend the claim. Last year alone, more than 870,000 families updated their details and continued to receive this support. Missing the deadline means parents could lose out on more than £1,300 annually for their eldest child, a financial boost many households rely on to manage daily expenses.
How Much Families Can Receive
Currently, Child Benefit is worth £26.05 per week or £1,354.60 per year for the eldest or only child, and £17.25 per week or £897 per year for each additional child. Extending the claim can be done in just minutes online or through the HMRC app, making the process fast and convenient for busy parents.
Easy Ways to Update Your Claim
Families who have received the reminder letter can simply follow the instructions provided, but even those who haven’t received a letter yet are eligible to update their details. All that is required is to log in through GOV.UK or the HMRC app to confirm that their teenager will remain in full-time non-advanced education or approved unpaid training. Those unable to use online services can call HMRC or respond by post using the contact details provided in their original notification.
Understanding the High Income Child Benefit Charge
Parents with an income between £60,000 and £80,000 should be aware of the High Income Child Benefit Charge. While this charge reduces the amount families keep, the Child Benefit itself remains valuable as it helps secure National Insurance credits that count towards the State Pension. New changes also allow families to settle this charge automatically through their PAYE tax code instead of filing a Self Assessment, simplifying the process for thousands of taxpayers.
Additional Support and Child Trust Fund Reminder
Parents who have never claimed Child Benefit or who previously opted out can easily opt back in online or through the HMRC app. This is especially important for those earning under £80,000 annually, as the income threshold for the charge has been raised, allowing more families to keep the full amount.
HMRC has also reminded teenagers turning 16 to check their Child Trust Fund accounts. These savings accounts, set up for children born between September 1, 2002, and January 2, 2011, could hold significant amounts of money. Teens can take control of these accounts at 16 and withdraw funds when they turn 18. Those unsure about their provider can use HMRC’s free online tool to locate their account.
Take Action Before It’s Too Late
With the August 31 deadline just days away, parents are urged not to delay. Whether managing the claim online, through the app, or by contacting HMRC directly, the process is simple and ensures families do not miss out on valuable financial support. By acting now, parents can secure ongoing Child Benefit payments and take advantage of additional benefits available for teenagers in full-time education or training.