- About 1.5 million parents of 16-19 year-olds are
to receive reminder letters in coming weeks.
- The quickest and easiest way to extend is via
the HMRC app or online
at GOV.UK.
Parents of 16-19 year-olds are reminded to
extend their Child Benefit claim if their teenager is
staying in certain types of education or training after
their GCSEs or National 5s.
Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August on or after a
child's 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager's
plans. Around 1.5 million reminder letters will be
sent from late April, with most landing on
doorsteps in early May.
Parents don't need to wait for their
letter. HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) digital
service for extending opened on 1 April, so those
who already know their teenager's plans can act today.
Claim extensions can be made on the HMRC app or online
at GOV.UK. The letters
also include a QR code linking directly to the digital
service.
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 a week – or £1,406.60 a year – for
the eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for
each additional child. Last
year, 874,000 parents extended their claim,
with more than half doing so online or through the
HMRC app.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer
Officer, said:
Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your
teenager already knows they're staying in education or
training after their GCSEs or National
5s, you don't need to wait for our
letter.
You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in
minutes via the HMRCapp or online
at GOV.UK.
Child Benefit can continue for teenagers studying full
time in non-advanced education, or on unpaid approved training
courses. Visit GOV.UK for the full
list of eligible courses.
If a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an
individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher
earner may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit
Charge (HICBC). Use the Child Benefit tax calculator on
GOV.UK for an estimate. Parents can pay the charge
through their PAYE tax code using the HICBC digital service, or
through Self Assessment.
Further information
More information on 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 at GOV.UK and on
the 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. This
includes home schooling. If a child has an illness or
disability, they may be able to do fewer hours where this
is appropriate for them.
Child Benefit cannot be claimed if a teenager's 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 in HMRC letters will always
direct to GOV.UK or the HMRC app. Report suspicious
emails with QR codes to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
