Claiming Child Benefit Made Easy: A Guide for Parents

As parents or guardians, we understand how easily costs can add up when looking after little ones.   

To make it easier, HMRC has launched a new way to claim Child Benefit online, or through the HMRC app meaning you could get your first payment in as little as 3 working days. Whether you’re a new parent navigating the world of financial support, or an existing claimant looking to manage your claim more efficiently, this guide has got you covered.

What is Child Benefit? 

Child Benefit is support offered by the government to parents or carers with children under 16 (or up to 20 if in approved, full time education or training).

It’s paid into your bank account every four weeks (or weekly in certain circumstances).  As of April 2024, you can claim up to £1,331 per year for the first child and nearly £882 for each additional child. 

There’s more to Child Benefit than just payments too – you'll also:  

• receive National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension  
• make sure your child automatically gets a National Insurance number when they’re 16 years old  

Who Can Claim Child Benefit? 

Eligibility is straightforward. If you’re responsible for a child under 16, or up to 20 and in approved education or training, you are eligible to claim.  

You can submit your claim for Child Benefit from the day after you register a child’s birth, or once a child comes to live with you for those fostering or adopting.  

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child, so you need to decide whether it’s better for you or the other parent to claim.  

If you are looking after someone else’s child, then please visit GOV.UK for further information on eligibility.  

If you or your partner earn over £60,000 a year, you can still claim. However, you may be required to pay some of it back – there is more information on this below.   

Applying Online – New and Existing Parents 

The new service HMRC has introduced allows parents to claim quickly and easily online, whether they’re claiming for their first baby or a new addition. Once processed, you could receive your first payment within three working days.   

You can only backdate up to three months of payment, so try to claim before your child turns 12 weeks old if possible so you don’t miss out. However, you can apply for them at any age up to 16, or 20 if they’re in approved education. 

More families now eligible for child benefit

The recent budget saw the level raised at which parents and carers, or their partners, start paying the High Income Child Benefit Charge so, if you or your partner earns between £60,000 and £80,000, it’s worth checking how much you can get if you claim child benefit.? 

To make it easier, HMRC has launched a new way to claim Child Benefit online, or through the HMRC app meaning you could get your first payment in as little as 3 working days.

Claiming Child Benefits Made Easy 

Claiming is easy and can be done on GOV.UK. Once you’ve claimed you can also view and manage your Child Benefit claim quickly and easily in the HMRC app or online. This includes viewing payment information and proof of your claim, updating your details when you’ve had a change in circumstances, such as moving house or opening a new bank account, and extending your claim when your child turns 16.  

By downloading the HMRC app, sign-in can be even faster with a pin, fingerprint or facial recognition too – giving you everything you need to know about your Child Benefit claim straight away. 

Don’t miss out on the financial support available for your family – claim your Child Benefit online today. 

For more information, please visit gov.uk/child-benefit/how-to-claim.

We want the best for you and your family – and believe that every child deserves the best start in life. Discover funding and finance options for nursery fees on our funding page – learn about the tax-free childcare scheme and government funded hours. Find your local Busy Bees nursery today.