Enter Your E-mail

Parents with a teenager approaching 16 should let HMRC know if they are continuing in full time education so they continue to receive child benefit.

HMRC’s Director of Benefits and Credits, Steve Lamey, said:

“At this time of year, families decide whether a child will continue in education or training once they have seen their GCSE results.

If their child is staying on full-time, they need to let us know the full details as soon as possible so that their child benefit doesn’t stop on 30 August.”

Parents of a child approaching 16 receive a reminder and form in the post from HMRC, asking them to provide HMRC with the following information:

• details of the course and qualification,
• its start and end dates,
• the name and address of the school or college.

Parents can also make the necessary changes online at Report a Change of Circumstances Online for Child Benefit or by phoning the Child Benefit Helpline on 0845 302 1444.

All parents of children in full-time, non-advanced education or approved training are eligible to receive child benefit. This is £20.30 per week for the first child and £13.40 per week for each subsequent child.

To find out what types of courses count, see Child Benefit if Your Child is in Further Education or Training.