Child benefit: Who is eligible to get it and how much is it worth?

If you are responsible for raising a kid who is:

• under 16
• under 20 if the youngster continues in authorised education or training

Child benefit claims are limited to one individual per child. The number of children you may claim for is unlimited.

It increased to:

• £25.60 per week for the oldest or only kid, up from £24;
• £16.50 per week for smaller children, up from £15.90 on April 6, 2024.

Every four weeks, child benefit is typically deposited into a designated bank account.

However, you can get the money every week if you are a single parent or if you get additional benefits like universal credit.

Use the government calculator to see how much child benefit you might currently be eligible for.

How much can I earn and how is the High Income Child Benefit Charge changing?

The government raised the threshold for earning before losing child benefit in the 2024 Budget.

It used to be completely taken away if one parent made more than £60,000. This is now worth £80,000 more.

It will not be lowered until one parent’s income surpasses £60,000, having previously only been £50,000.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge results in lower payments (HICBC).

The HICBC regulations have drawn criticism for unfairly penalising households with a single high earner as well as single parents.

The entire sum is available to a household with two parents earning £60,000, or a total household income of £120,000.

However, if a single parent in the home makes slightly more than £60,000, their child benefit will be decreased, and if they make more than £80,000, it will be eliminated completely.

Then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also announced in the Budget a consultation over allowing HMRC to get data about all the adults living in the child’s home.
This would imply that, starting in April 2026, child benefit claims will be determined by the entire household income rather than the income of the highest earner. This change has been widely praised.

How do you apply for child benefit?

As soon as a child moves in with you or 48 hours after the birth is officially registered, you can start collecting child benefit.

Up to three months’ worth of payments may be retroactively applied if you file a claim later.

Claim via phone, mail, or the internet.

The following documents are required:

• Your partner’s National Insurance number, if applicable;
• Your child’s birth or adoption certificate;
• Bank or building society details;
• Your National Insurance (NI) number

How does child benefit affect National Insurance credits?

You receive NI credits automatically when you claim child benefit for a kid under the age of twelve. These credits are applied to your state pension.

If you are unemployed or earn insufficient income to cover your national insurance obligations, these credits may help close any gaps in your NI record.

Even if you choose not to receive payments, the government nonetheless recommends you to complete the child benefit claim form in order to receive NI credits.

If you do this, your child will also be issued an NI number automatically when they turn sixteen. They will need to apply for one if not.