It’s easy done. The most recent estimate is that around 200,000 parents have not reapplied for the child benefit they are entitled to. These are largely the parents of children who have turned 16 and are still in education or training.
Why are people missing out on child benefit?
People are not receiving their child benefit money either because they have missed the August 31st deadline, to because they simply didn’t’ know that they had to reapply.
This is not HMRC’s error, they are not trying to evade payments. But individuals need to pay close attention to the administrative procedures so you don’t end up missing out.
How much is child benefit worth?
Your Child Benefit payment is worth £20.70 per week for your first child and £13.70 for every other child. This gets paid for all of your children until they are 16 years old. And until they turn 20, if your circumstances meet the eligibility criteria.
So, it’s worth taking a few minutes to sort out your reapplication. It’s money in the bank and helps you budget for the coming financial year.
Who qualifies for the post-16 child benefit?
The main eligibility criteria for children over the age of 16 are that they are either in full time approved education or approved training.
Approved education includes A-levels, Highers (Scotland), vocational qualifications and NVQs up to level three. It doesn’t apply to BTEC higher national certifications or university degrees.
Approved training includes United Youth Pilot Courses started before June 2017, Scotland’s Employability Fund programmes and the Foundation Apprenticeships run in Wales and England. Courses must be started before the individual turns 19.
If you are a higher rate tax payer you will need to complete a self assessment tax return declaring the child benefit as part of your return.
In some cases (depending on your level of income) higher rate taxpayers should not claim child benefit because there is a limit as to how much you can earn and still be eligible.
Aaaaargh…I’ve missed the child benefit deadline
So, this describes your child’s position, but you haven’t reapplied for their Child Benefit because you didn’t know you can. We are delighted to tell you that you have three months from the 31st August deadline to reapply. There is a higher chance that your payments will be delayed, as the system is playing catch up with your late application. But you will still get Child Benefit for this period and until your child is 19 which is excellent news.
The Education Department and HMRC are two separate entities. When your child reaches 16, HMRC automatically assumes that they are now in the world of work, earning their own money and paying income tax. Just because the Education Department knows that they’re staying on to do A-levels, doesn’t mean that HMRC does. But all you have to do is let them know and you continue to receive Child Support while they train or learn.
