Reminder to extend child benefit to continue payments
HMRC are reminding parents of 16 to 19 year olds to go online and extend their child benefit claim by 31 August to continue payments.
Child benefit automatically stops on 31 August following a child’s 16th birthday unless you confirm to HMRC that they are staying on in full time non-advanced education or approved training after that date.
Between May and July 2025, HMRC will be sending 1.5 million letters to those claiming child benefit for 16 to 19 year olds to tell them to go online to confirm if the young person is staying on in full time education or approved training from 1 September 2025. HMRC will ask when the education course or approved training will end so once HMRC have been given the details, claimants don’t need to contact them again each year, unless there is a change.
Child benefit claimants can extend their claim easily via the HMRC app or online on GOV.UK. The letter will contain a QR code that will take you to the GOV.UK website or HMRC app. You do not need to wait for the letter to extend the claim. If you are unable to use online services, you can call or write to HMRC using the details in the letter.
In their press release, HMRC are also reminding parents that they may be affected by the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) if either the claimant or their partner has adjusted net income exceeding £60,000.
