The UK government has issued a crucial reminder to parents of teenagers aged 16 to 19: failure to update your child’s education details could mean missing out on over £1,300 in child benefit payments.
This comes amid growing political pressure to revise current benefit caps, particularly as the autumn budget approaches. Understanding the eligibility criteria, deadlines, and impact of benefit changes is essential to avoid losing this vital support.
What Is Child Benefit and How Much Can You Get?
Child Benefit is a tax-free payment offered to families in the UK to help with the financial responsibilities of raising a child.
Besides the monetary support, recipients also gain National Insurance credits, which help protect future state pension entitlements for those not currently employed.
Current Child Benefit Rates (2025)
| Child Position | Weekly Payment |
|---|---|
| First Child | £26.05 |
| Each Additional Child | £17.25 |
Payments are made weekly or monthly, depending on your preference.
Important Deadline: 31 August 2025
Once a child turns 16, they are no longer automatically eligible for child benefit. However, if they are continuing in approved education or training, parents can still receive payments until the child turns 20.
Approved Education Includes:
- A-levels
- T Levels
- Scottish Highers
- NVQs and other vocational courses
University degrees do NOT qualify.
Parents must confirm their child’s continued education status before 31 August 2025. Failure to do so could result in the loss of up to £1,354 in payments.
Who Is Eligible for Child Benefit?
Almost all UK parents are eligible to claim child benefit, but the amount you receive may be affected by your income.
Income Thresholds for Child Benefit
| Annual Income (Highest Earner in Household) | Benefit Impact |
|---|---|
| Up to £60,000 | Full child benefit |
| £60,001 to £79,999 | Gradually reduced |
| £80,000+ | No child benefit available |
This structure has been criticized for its unfairness—especially toward single-income households. For example, two parents earning £60,000 each (total £120,000) can still claim full benefit, while a single earner at £80,000 receives none.
The Two-Child Cap Controversy
Although child benefit can be claimed for every child, a separate limit—known as the two-child benefit cap—applies to tax credits and Universal Credit claims.
Introduced by the Conservative government in 2017, this cap prevents families from receiving additional support for third or subsequent children born after April 2017.
Key Stats on the Two-Child Cap
- Affected families lose up to £3,455 per year in support
- Over 1.5 million children are impacted
- Families may lose 10% of their income due to this cap
- Removing it could cost the government £3.4 billion annually
Despite Labour backbenchers urging for the cap’s removal, fiscal constraints and previous policy U-turns have made immediate changes unlikely in the upcoming autumn budget.
With the 31 August 2025 deadline fast approaching, parents must act promptly to confirm their child’s education status. Neglecting to do so could result in losing more than £1,300 in child benefit payments.
As the debate around the two-child cap continues, families should stay informed and ensure they maximize the support they’re legally entitled to—especially during these times of economic uncertainty.
FAQs
If you don’t update your child’s education details by this date, child benefit payments will stop, and you may lose up to £1,354 in support.
No. You must confirm your child’s continued education or training for the benefit to continue until age 20.
Yes, but the benefit is gradually reduced and is completely stopped once your income crosses £80,000 per year.
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