Child benefit could be STOPPED for thousands of parents within weeks – check if you’re one of them and how... - The Sun

Minggu, 07 April 2024

Child benefit could be STOPPED for thousands of parents within weeks – check if you’re one of them and how... - The Sun

CHILD benefit could be stopped for thousands of parents within just weeks – here’s how to avoid losing out.

Some parents and guardian will have to update their personal details on the government’s website – gov.uk – before midnight on May 31 to ensure their child benefit payments will continue in June.

Parents are urged to ensure their details are up to date on the government's website so child benefit payments can still be made (file photo)Credit: Getty

Those affected include anyone with a child aged 16 who had been in further education or training, but has now left, and anyone who has reached that age but are continuing their full-time education.

The gov.uk site says Child Benefit payments will continue until the first of four specified dates throughout the year is reached after their 16th birthday, with the next one being May 31.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) says: “If you fail to update your details in time, you may still be able to claim Child Benefit, but your payments might be late.”

Anyone who is responsible for bringing up a child under the age of 16 or a young person below the age of 20, if they are still carrying on with their full-time education or on an approved training scheme, are eligible for the payments.

Child Benefit pay rates 2024/25

Eldest or only child: £25.60, up from £24.00
Additional children: £16.95, up from £15.90

Guardian's Allowance

From April 2024: £21.75, a rise from £20.40

Four reasons why Child Benefit could stop

There are four reasons why the amount you get in Child Benefit could change or stop completely.

You did not update your details on time

After a child turns 16, Child Benefit will stop automatically on May 31, unless the HMRC is told your child is continuing in full-time education or training – or even that they are joining the armed forces or a government-backed careers programme.

If your child stays in education or training but then leaves, you will continue to get Child Benefit until whichever date after their 16th birthday comes first:

the last day in February - when full-time non-advanced education or approved training finishes in December, January or February
May 31 - when full-time non-advanced education or approved training finishes in March, April or May
August 31 - when the young person is in Scotland taking a ‘higher certificate’ or ‘advanced higher certificate’ and entered for exams that finish before the end of May
November 30 - when full-time non-advanced education or approved training finishes in September, October or November

If you fail to update your details in time, you may still be able to claim Child Benefit, but your payments might be late.

A change in circumstances

You must inform HMRC of any changes to your circumstances as soon as possible, as this can affect how much Child Benefit you are entitled to and some changes could mean you get more money.

These include changes to your:

family life, such as getting married
child’s life, including leaving education or training

A change in your child’s circumstances

The HMRC must be told of any changes to your child’s circumstances.

These include:

Your child has turned 16 or 20 if they are in education or training
Your child is aged 16 to 20 and leaves education or training
Your child is over 16 and starts working more than 24 hours per week
Your child gets married or forms a civil partnership
Your child goes missing or dies
Your child lives away from you for more than eight weeks in a row
Your child moves in with their partner on a permanent basis
Your child leaves the country for more than 12 weeks, unless it is part of school education or to get medical treatment
Your child goes to prison for more than eight weeks

Your amount of Child Benefit might be reduced or completely stopped if you start getting payments from your local council or someone else who is looking after your children.

Itil Koko

Minggu, 07 April 2024