Unless you tell HMRC your child is staying in education or training, your payments will stop on 31st August. At LWA, we’re here to give families a friendly reminder – and the good news is, it’s easier than ever to update your claim thanks to the HMRC app.
When do I need to update my Child Benefit claim?
It’s important to act before 31st August to update your Child Benefit claim. Child Benefit is worth:
- £1,354.60 per year for your eldest or only child
- £897 per year for each additional child
These payments don’t automatically continue once your child turns 16, even if they’re heading to college or sixth form. You must confirm their plans with HMRC, or your Child Benefit will stop at the end of August after their 16th birthday.
For families already planning the next stage of education or training, now is the perfect time to get this sorted.
Which courses qualify for continued Child Benefit?
You’ll still qualify if your teenager is staying in full-time non-advanced education such as:
- A-levels
- T Levels
- Scottish Highers
- NVQs up to Level 3
- Home education (started before age 16 or part of an arranged plan)
- Certain unpaid government-approved training programmes
Courses linked to paid work such as apprenticeships where your child is earning a wage, don’t count for Child Benefit purposes.
How do I update my Child Benefit claim after my child turns 16?
You don’t need to wait for HMRC to write to you to update your Child Benefit claim, you can extend your claim as soon as your child’s next steps are already confirmed.
Here’s how:
- Use the HMRC app
Download the HMRC app on Apple or Android for quick, secure access to your Child Benefit account. You can check payments, update your child’s education status, and more - all in a few taps.
- Log in online
Head to GOV.UK to update your details through your online personal tax account. HMRC is also sending reminder letters between May and July with a QR code that takes you directly to the right page.
Once updated, payments will continue without interruption.
Helping your teen access their Child Trust Fund at 16
If your child has just turned 16, they can now take control of their Child Trust Fund (CTF)—a long-term savings account set up by the government for children born between 2002 and 2011.
They won’t be able to withdraw the money until they turn 18, but they can manage the account now, choose how it's invested, and see how much it’s worth. Many young people aren’t even aware they have one, so it’s worth checking.
Not sure where the account is held? You or your child can track it down for free on GOV.UK.
What employers need to know about Child Benefit updates
If you employ parents of older teens, sharing this reminder could be really helpful. A short message on your staff intranet, internal newsletter or noticeboard could prevent employees missing out.
It’s also worth noting that from this summer, the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) can be collected through an employee’s tax code rather than through a Self Assessment return - reducing admin.
Parents who previously opted out of Child Benefit due to HICBC can now opt back in easily using the HMRC app or online if their circumstances have changed.
Employers should keep an eye out for tax code changes and ensure payroll systems are updated accordingly.
Need help with updating or managing your Child Benefit claim?
Our personal tax team at LWA are here to help point you in the right direction if you need help managing your Child Benefit claim.
Contact us on 0161 905 1801 in our Manchester office, or call 01925 830 830 for our Warrington tax team. You can also send us an email to mail@lwaltd.com with ‘Child Benefit tax query’ in the subject field.