Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds will receive reminders from HMRC to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August if their child is staying in education or training or payments will automatically stop.
Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August on or after a child’s 16th birthday if it’s not extended.
Between May and July, letters will be sent to parents reminding them to go online to confirm if their teenager is staying in full time education or approved training after they finish their GCSEs to continue receiving their Child Benefit. Parents can extend their claim via the HMRC app or online on GOV.UK. The letters also contain a QR code which takes parents straight to the digital service on GOV.UK.
Child Benefit is currently worth £26.05 per week - or £1,354.60 a year - for the eldest or only child and £17.25 per week - or £897 a year - for each additional child.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: ‘Child Benefit is an important boost to families. As soon as you know what your teenager is planning to do, extend your claim in minutes to guarantee your payments continue in September. Simply go to GOV.UK or the HMRC app to confirm today.’
21/05/2025
View all >
15/07/2026
Taxpayers urged to get ahead of July self assessment payment deadline
HMRC is reminding millions of self assessment taxpayers to prepare for the 2025 to 2026 tax year second payments on account 31 July deadline.
READ MORE
Government steps up drive to reconnect young people with £1.6 billion
The government is stepping up its efforts to reconnect young people with unclaimed savings in Child Trust Funds (CTFs).
Targeted subsidies are needed for firms to tackle Britain’s NEETs crisis
Targeted subsidies, rather than expensive tax breaks, are the most cost-effective way of supporting employers to get young people into work, according to Resolution Foundation analysis.
Sign up to keep in touch to receive our latest news and industry updates.
* *
Yes, I would like to receive email updates providing me with the latest finance news, advice guides and details of future events.