Parents or guardians of children aged 16 to 19, specifically those born between 2006 and 2009, are urged to notify HMRC by August 31 if their child is continuing in approved education or training. Doing so ensures the continuation of Child Benefit payments, a vital financial support for many families in the UK.
Now that GCSE results have been released, it’s the ideal time for parents to confirm if their teen plans to remain in eligible education or training. If so, Child Benefit may be paid until their 20th birthday.
Why Prompt Notification is Crucial
According to Myrtle Lloyd, Chief Customer Officer at HMRC:
“Teenagers can be expensive and Child Benefit is an important source of income for your household. As soon as you know what your teen is doing in September, don’t miss out. You can extend your claim in minutes through the HMRC app or online to ensure your payments continue.”
If HMRC is not informed by August 31, the benefit payments will automatically stop once the child turns 16, even if they’re still in school or training.
Who Qualifies for Continued Child Benefit?
To remain eligible, your teen must be enrolled in approved non-advanced education or unpaid training. Here are some examples of qualifying programs across the UK:
| Country/Region | Approved Courses/Programs |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success, Skills for Life and Work |
| England | Study programmes, T Levels, A Levels, International Baccalaureate |
| Scotland | Scottish Highers, No One Left Behind programme, Foundation Apprenticeships |
| Wales | Jobs Growth Wales+, Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships |
| All Regions | NVQs (up to level 3), Pre-apprenticeships, some home education |
Note: A full list of qualifying education and training courses is available on the GOV.UK website.
What Doesn’t Qualify?
Child Benefit will not be extended if your teen is:
- Pursuing a university degree or a BTEC Higher National Certificate
- Enrolled in a non-foundation apprenticeship
- In training as part of a job contract
- Studying through a course arranged directly by an employer
How to Extend Your Child Benefit
More than 509,000 parents have already taken action by updating their details online or through the HMRC app. If you’ve received a reminder letter, simply scan the QR code to access the digital service.
Extending your claim takes just minutes.
Special Circumstances: Extension Period
If your child leaves education at 16 or 17 to join the armed forces or work with the local careers service, you may still qualify for up to an additional 20 weeks of support, known as an extension period.
How Much Is Child Benefit?
| Child | Weekly Payment | Monthly Total |
|---|---|---|
| Eldest/Only Child | £26.05 | £104.20 |
| Each Additional Child | £17.25 | £69.00 |
These payments are often essential in covering food, clothing, transportation, and educational expenses.
Child Benefit is a critical support system for families navigating the costs of raising teens. To avoid interruptions in your payments, be sure to update HMRC by August 31 if your child is continuing in approved education or training.
With thousands of families relying on this financial aid, timely action ensures uninterrupted support during your child’s most formative years.
FAQs
Your Child Benefit will automatically stop if your child has turned 16 and you haven’t informed HMRC. You may lose weeks or months of support until the claim is reinstated.
No. Higher education courses, including university degrees and BTEC Higher National Certificates, are not eligible for Child Benefit.
You can use the HMRC app, their online portal, or scan the QR code from the letter sent to you by HMRC to update your child’s education details.
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