LONDON, April 28 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
* About1.5 million parents of16-19 year-olds are toreceivereminderlettersin coming weeks.
* The quickest and easiest way to extend is via theHMRCappor online atGOV.UK.
Parents of16-19 year-oldsareremindedto extend their Child Benefit claim if theirteenageris staying incertain types ofeducation or training after their GCSEsorNational 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 millionreminderletters will be sent from late April, with mostlandingon doorstepsin early May.
Parentsdon'tneed to wait for their letter.HMRevenue andCustoms'(HMRC)digital servicefor extendingopened on 1 April,so those who already know their teenager's plans canact today.
Claim extensions can be made on theHMRC appor online atGOV.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 eachadditionalchild. Last year,874,000parents extended their claim, withmore than halfdoing so online or through the HMRC app.
Myrtle Lloyd,HMRC'sChief Customer Officer, said:
Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenageralready knows they're staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s,youdon'tneed towait for our letter.
You canextend yourChild Benefitclaim today in minutes viatheHMRC appor online atGOV.UK.
Child Benefit can continue forteenagersstudying full time in non-advanced education, or on unpaid approved training courses. VisitGOV.UKfor the full list of eligible courses.
Ifa Child Benefitclaimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be liable for theHigh IncomeChild Benefit Charge(HICBC). Use theChild Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UKfor an estimate. Parents can pay the charge through their PAYE tax code using the HICBC digital service, or throughSelf Assessment.
Further information
More information onChild 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 atGOV.UKand on theHMRC 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 isappropriate forthem.
Child Benefit cannot be claimed if ateenager'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 inHMRCletters will always direct to GOV.UK or the HMRC app. Report suspicious emails with QR codes tophishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
