Child benefit: How much is it worth and who can claim it?

More families were able to claim child benefit payments from April.

It followed a decision to increase the amount you can can earn before they start to be withdrawn, and the point at which they stop altogether.

What age does child benefit stop and how much is it worth?

You can get child benefit if you are responsible for bringing up a child who is:

• under 16

• under 20 if they stay in approved education or training

Only one person can claim child benefit for a child. There is no limit to how many children you can claim for.

On 6 April 2024, it rose to:

• £25.60 a week for the eldest or only child, up from £24

• £16.95 a week for younger children, up from £15.90

Child benefit is usually paid into a nominated bank account every four weeks.

But if you are a single parent or receive certain other benefits, such as universal credit, you can receive the money weekly.

You can find out how much child benefit you may be entitled to at the moment by using the government calculator.

The rules apply across the whole of the UK.

Why has my child benefit been reduced?

Child benefit stops on or after 31 August when your child turns 16, unless you inform HMRC by that date that your child is continuing in approved education or training.

If you miss the deadline, you can still apply to extend your claim. Payments will stop in the meantime but can be backdated later.

How much can I earn and how did the High Income Child Benefit Charge change?

In the 2024 Spring Budget, then-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt increased the amount you can earn before you start to lose child benefit.

Previously, it was taken away entirely when one parent earned more than £60,000. That was increased to £80,000.

Now it's not reduced until one parent earns more than £60,000 - up from £50,000.

Payments are reduced as a result of the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).

The HICBC rules have been criticised for unfairly penalising single parents and families with one high earner.

A household where two parents earn £60,000 - with a total household income of £120,000 - can get the full amount.

But if a household has one parent who earns just above £60,000, their child benefit will be be reduced, and cut altogether once they earn more than £80,000.

Mr Hunt also announced a consultation about letting HMRC collect information about all the adults in the child's house.

This would mean that from April 2026, child benefit claims would be based on total household income instead of the highest earner's wage - a move that has been broadly welcomed.

• Child benefit claims rise after income rule change

• What does the Budget mean for you?

• 'I earn £70,000 and can now get child benefit payments'

How do you apply for child benefit?

You can claim child benefit 48 hours after you have registered a birth, or as soon as a child comes to live with you.

If you claim at a later point, payments can be backdated for up to three months.

You can claim online, by post or by phone.

You need the following documents:

• your child's birth or adoption certificate

• your bank or building society details

• your National Insurance (NI) number

• your partner's National Insurance number, if you have one

Only one parent can claim child benefit

How does child benefit affect National Insurance credits?

Claiming child benefit for a child under the age of 12 means you automatically get NI credits, which count towards your state pension.

These credits can help fill gaps in your NI record if you are not working or if you don't earn enough to pay NI contributions.

The government advises that you should still fill in the child benefit claim form, even if you opt out of getting payments, so that you can get NI credits.

Doing so also means your child will automatically get an NI number when they turn 16. Otherwise they will have to apply for one.

• How much will the 2p National Insurance cut save me?

• Check your National Insurance record

What happens if your family circumstances change?

If a family splits up, the amount of child benefit paid depends on how many children there are, and where they live.

If you have two children and one stays with each parent, you would both get £25.60 a week for each child.

If you share custody of one or more children, only one of you can claim child benefit for them.

The eldest will still be entitled to £25.60 and any younger children will get £16.95 each.

If two families join together, the eldest child in the new family qualifies for the higher rate, and any other eligible children get the smaller amount.