Lots of parents or carers don’t realise that HMRC automatically stop Child Benefit payments when children turn 16. But there are several situations when you’re still eligible, like if they’re in full time education. HMRC rely on you to tell them if you should still receive your Child Benefit.
So if the amount you were expecting has suddenly dropped, have a quick read of the eligibility criteria and get it sorted out.
Why have people missed out on the Child Benefit they’re entitled to?
As children turn 16, HMRC automatically stop their Child Benefit payments. Its up to their parents/carers to tell HMRC that they’re still entitled to it. If you think about it, this makes sense. Its easy enough for HMRC to keep track of birthdays. But it would be impossible for them to know what life decision every 16 year-old makes after their exams.
Most parents/carers accidentally miss out on continued Child Benefit payments because they don’t realise that its their responsibility to tell HMRC.
Eligibility criteria for post-16 Child Benefit
Your teenager’s eligibility depends on the type of education or training they’re doing. Let’s start with the bad news first. They’re not eligible for this continued Child Benefit if they’re studying for a BTEC Higher National Certificate or a university degree. Likewise, if their employer pays for the training course.
You also can’t claim Child Benefit for your child if they’re personally claiming Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Universal Credit or tax credits.
Now for the good news, if your child is accepted onto any of the following education or training courses before they turn 19, you’re entitled to claim the post-16 Child Benefit.
Approved training
Unpaid approved training includes:
- “Foundation Apprenticeships or Traineeships in Wales
- Employability Fund and No One Left Behind programmes in Scotland
- PEACE IV Children and Young People 2.1, Training for Success, or Skills for Life and Work in Northern Ireland”
Approved education
Only full-time education courses are approved. This is defined as more than 12 hours average per week of course-specific work experience or supervised study, including:
- “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”
How to tell HMRC about your teenager’s eligibility
HMRC has set up a secure service so that you can communicate any changes to your Child Benefit situation online. You just need to set up a free Personal Tax Account. It gives you the flexibility to sort things out whenever’s best for you.
You don’t need to wait for an advisor and its available 24 hours a day. You can get more help with setting it up here.
You can phone the dedicated Child Benefit Helpline on 0300 200 3100, if you prefer to speak to someone. You’ll need your National Insurance number and Child Benefit number handy, before you start the call.
