Child benefit payments automatically stop on 31 August after a child’s 16th birthday.
Parents can re-register but the timing is tight. To continue receiving child benefit, parents must tell HMSTC that their child is continuing their education or training … within one week of GCSE results day!
To extend child benefit payments until a child reaches 18 years old, they must study full-time. This can involve:
- A levels or similar, for example Pre-U, International Baccalaureate
- T levels
- Scottish Highers
- NVQs and other vocational qualifications up to level 3
- home education – if it started before your child turned 16 or after 16 if they have special needs
- traineeships in England
These options must require more than an average of 12 hours a week of supervised study or course-related work experience.
It’s important to note that you cannot get child benefit if your child is studying an ‘advanced’ course, such as a university degree or BTEC Higher National Certificate, or if an employer pays for a course.
Do you need to re-register for child benefit payments?
Parents receive a letter from HMRC during their child’s last year at school asking for confirmation of their plans. The letter includes a QR code that parents can scan to access and update their claim online.
If you still have your letter from HMRC, scan the QR code to update HMRC.
You need a Government Gateway user ID and password to use HMRC’s online services. If you don’t have this information, you need your National Insurance number or postcode and two forms of ID to register for a personal tax account with HMRC.
You can sign in or register here.
To receive child benefit payments, your child must be:
- 16 or 17 when they start their course,
- studying for 1 or 2 academic years at a school or college, and
- living with you in the UK.
Remember – you only have one week from GCSE results day to guarantee seamless continuation of your child benefit payments. Don’t miss out!
