Extending Child Benefit payments: What you need to know

As GCSE results day approaches on 22 August 2024, many families are considering the next steps for their school-leaving children. If your child plans to continue in approved education or training, it’s important to extend your Child Benefit claim before 31 August to avoid missing out on financial support.

When can you extend your Child Benefit?

Child Benefit can continue if your child, aged 16 to 19, is enrolled in full-time non-advanced education or approved unpaid training.

This includes:

Non-Advanced Education:
-A levels or Scottish Highers;
-International Baccalaureate;
-T levels;
-NVQs up to level 3; and
-Home education, if started before the child turned 16, or after 16 with a special educational needs statement assessed by the local authority.

Approved Unpaid Training:
- In Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships, or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme;
- In Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success, or Skills for Life and Work; and
-In Scotland: the No One Left Behind programme.

If your child will be continuing their education via one of these routes, then you can extend your Child Benefit payments.

When Can't You Extend Child Benefit?

You cannot extend Child Benefit if your child is entering full-time employment, starting an apprenticeship that’s part of a job contract, or enrolling in a course not classified as non-advanced education.

How to Extend Your Child Benefit Payments

To extend your claim, you need to inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by 31 August 2024.

Fortunately, the process is quite simple and can be done online via GOV.UK or the HMRC app. You’ll need a Government Gateway user ID and password, which you can easily set up if you don’t have one already. Have your National Insurance number or postcode, and two forms of ID ready to register.

So far, more than 270,000 parents have successfully extended their claim digitally. This method updates your records immediately and saves you the hassle of waiting on the phone.

If you are unable to handle the claim online, then you can still contact HMRC by post or phone.

Don’t miss out

Child Benefit can be a significant financial help, offering up to £1,331 annually for the first or only child, and £881 for each additional child. Missing the deadline means your payments will stop.

Even if you’ve opted out of receiving payments due to the High Income Child Benefit Charge, it’s essential to keep your claim details up to date. You can opt back in quickly if your circumstances change.

What if your child changes their mind?

If your child decides not to continue with their education or training, you can easily inform HMRC online or via the app. Your Child Benefit payments will be adjusted accordingly. You can also check your claim status, view payment details, and manage your claim through the app or online portal.

Act Now

With the 31 August deadline fast approaching, don’t delay in extending your Child Benefit claim.

If you need any help with your claim, please feel free to get in touch with us. We would be happy to help you!

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extend-child-benefit-for-your-teen-by-31-august