HMRC reminds parents to extend Child Benefit claims

08 May 2026

HMRC is reminding parents of 16-19-year-olds to extend their Child Benefit claim if their teenager is staying in certain types of education or training after their GCSEs or National 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 million reminder letters will be sent from late April, with most landing on doorsteps in early May.

HMRC's digital service for extending opened on 1 April, so those who already know their teenager's plans can act immediately.

Claim extensions can be made on the HMRC app or online at GOV.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 each additional child. Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with more than half doing so online or through the HMRC app.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said: 'Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenager already knows they're staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s, you don't need to wait for our letter.'