HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is actively reminding parents to renew their Child Benefit claims ahead of the 31 August 2025 deadline. This appeal specifically targets parents of teenagers who plan to continue full-time education or participate in approved training after the summer.
To prevent interruptions in payments, families must extend their claim through the HMRC app or online service—a process that takes just a few minutes. If parents fail to act by the deadline, Child Benefit payments will be automatically halted.
Current Participation and Online Uptake
So far, over 509,000 parents have already renewed their claims for eligible teenagers. Impressively, 67% of them opted for the online process, ensuring their payments will proceed without delay in September.
HMRC has issued notifications to approximately 1.5 million eligible parents, stressing the importance of renewing claims for children aged 16 to 19.
What Is the Child Benefit Worth in 2025?
Child Benefit continues to be a valuable financial support tool for families with children, especially teens still in education.
| Child | Weekly Rate | Annual Value |
|---|---|---|
| Eldest/Only Child | £26.05 | £1,354.60 |
| Each Additional Child | £17.25 | £897.00 |
How to Renew Your Claim
To ensure uninterrupted payments, parents can:
- Use the HMRC app
- Access the online portal
- Scan the QR code included in HMRC’s reminder letter for quick access to the renewal service
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, encouraged families to act promptly:
“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.”
Who Remains Eligible for Child Benefit?
Parents can continue receiving Child Benefit if their teen is enrolled in:
- Full-time non-advanced education (e.g., A-levels, T Levels, NVQs at Level 3)
- Unpaid approved training courses
For a full list of approved educational and training programs, visit the GOV.UK website.
Important Notes on High-Income Households
If the claimant or their partner earns between £60,000 and £80,000 annually, they may be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).
To help these families, HMRC offers:
- An online tax calculator to estimate the benefit and potential tax charge
- A new digital service (coming soon) that lets employed individuals pay the charge directly through PAYE, avoiding the need for a Self Assessment tax return
However, those who prefer filing through Self Assessment can continue to do so.
What About Families Who Previously Opted Out?
Families who previously chose to stop Child Benefit payments can opt back in at any time. The process is quick and simple via the HMRC app or online portal.
With the 31 August deadline fast approaching, parents must take immediate steps to renew their Child Benefit claims to ensure continued financial support. Whether through the HMRC app, online service, or QR code, the renewal process is designed for speed and simplicity. With benefits reaching over £1,300 per child annually, it’s a resource families can’t afford to miss—especially in today’s rising cost of living environment.
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