Parents and carers have just over a week to claim at least £1,152 each year, but they must act quickly or risk losing out.
Most parents in the UK are able to collect child benefit, which can increase their income by thousands of pounds each year.
However, parents and carers whose 16-year-old children are still in full-time education must notify the government by November 30 or their child benefit payments may be terminated.
If your child leaves education or training before the age of 16, payments will automatically cease.
However, in their child’s final year of school, parents are frequently sent a letter asking them to clarify their plans.
Full-time education (greater than 12 hours per week of supervised study or course-related work experience) is required and can include:
- A-levels or similar, for example Pre-U, International Baccalaureate
- T levels
- Scottish Highers
- NVQs and other vocational qualifications up to level 3
- home education – if it started before your child turned 16 or after 16 if they have special needs
- traineeships in England
Your child must be admitted into the programme before reaching the age of 19.
When their children’s education or training comes to an end, certain families may be entitled to petition for a child benefit extension.
You may be eligible for child benefit for an additional 20 weeks if your child leaves approved education or training and either:
- Registers with their local careers service, Connexions (or a similar organisation in Northern Ireland, the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein)
- Signs up to join the armed forces
If you miss the deadline, you can still apply for child benefit, but your payments may be delayed.
Who is eligible for child benefit?
Child benefit is money paid to parents to help with childcare costs. The government normally sends you payments every four weeks.
When you claim child benefit, you will also receive National Insurance credits that will apply towards your state pension.
Child benefit is paid at two separate rates. Parents can currently claim £24 per week for their first or only kid – £96 per month and £1,248 per year.
They can claim an additional £15.90 per week per child – £63.60 per month and £826.80 per year – for any additional children.
If you live in the UK and are responsible for a kid under the age of 16, you are usually eligible for child benefit.
However, you can claim support for a kid under the age of 20 if they are enrolled in an approved educational or training programme.
When two or more persons share the obligation of caring for a kid, only one person can claim it.
You will be accountable for a child if you reside with them or pay at least the same amount as child benefit to care for them.
This could imply that you are spending the equivalent of child benefit on food, clothing, or pocket money.
You should keep in mind that eligibility changes if your child is admitted to a hospital or care facility, or if your child begins to live with someone else.
Child benefit is usually paid for eight weeks after your child moves in with a friend or family, as long as they do not file a claim.
However, if you contribute to your child’s upkeep, it can last longer.
Foster parents can also claim child benefit as long as the council does not pay for their housing or maintenance.
Legal guardians or adoptive parents may also apply for the benefit, but the kid must live with them.
You will only be able to claim for a limited time if you leave the UK, such as for a vacation or medical treatment.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, contact the Child Benefit Office.