Parents of children between two ages urged to 'tell HMRC' or lose cash

Parents nationwide are being urged to get in touch with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) or they could risk missing out on extra financial support. Mums and dads with youngsters aged 16 who are staying on in education or beginning approved training must update their information to keep their claims going.

Currently, 7.62 million UK households receive Child Benefit, which gives £26.05 weekly or £1,354.60 annually for the eldest or only child and £17.25 weekly or £897 annually for each additional child. Typically, you're eligible if you're looking after someone under 16, but you can keep claiming until your child reaches 20. But when your child hits 16, you need to tell the government to continue getting benefits.

While the cut-off date to inform them passed on August 31, HMRC is reminding parents that they can still let it know. Posting on X, HMRC said: "Parents! Missed the deadline to extend your Child Benefit claim? No need to call.

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"Let us know if your 16-19 year-old is staying in Full-Time Non Advanced Education online to keep receiving your payments".

The regulations specify that you can keep getting Child Benefit if your child takes part in "approved" education or training for more than 12 hours a week. This covers studying for A levels, T levels, Scottish Highers, NVQs, or similar qualifications, plus traineeships.

Qualification for home-schooled children continues if such arrangements began before they reached 16 or if your child has special educational needs or disabilities. However, if your child enrols in an advanced course such as a university degree, BTEC Higher National Certificate, intermediate/advanced apprenticeship, or an employer-funded course, eligibility ceases.

Parents with 16-year-old children who are claiming Child Benefit are being urged to swiftly update their benefit information before August 31 to avoid losing their claim. If your 16 year old is continuing in approved education, you must inform HMRC before the deadline.

Once your child completes approved education or training, Child Benefit payments will cease at the end of February, May 31, August 31, or November 30, whichever comes first.

Parents can extend their Child Benefit claims using the HMRC app or online viaGOV.UK. The letters also include a QR code that directs parents to the digital service on GOV.UK. According to HMRC, updating your Child Benefit claim takes only "minutes". Last year, over 870,000 parents renewed their Child Benefit claims for their teenagers, with most doing so online.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, said: "Child Benefit is an important boost to families. As soon as you know what your teenager is planning to do, extend your claim in minutes to guarantee your payments continue in September. Simply go to GOV.UK or the HMRC app to confirm today."