HMRC has issued an urgent warning to parents and carers of young people aged between 16 and 19 years old.
The UK Government department has stated that there is only one week left to confirm whether teenagers are staying in full-time education or approved training. Failing to do so will mean that Child Benefit payments stop.
HMRC has reached out to approximately 1.3 million parents and carers regarding teenagers who are currently in their final year of school or education reminding them to update their Child Benefit information.
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As reported by the Daily Record, while over 600,000 claimants have already responded to the request, a further 700,000 risk losing access to the money if they do not immediately take action.
Following exam results, many young people are in the process of deciding their next steps in life. However, it is crucial that their parents or carers update their Child Benefit info before August 31.
Child Benefit is worth £21.80 a week for a first-born child, and an extra £14.45 a week for each additional child.
According to HMRC, the fastest way to update Child Benefit information is via the Personal Tax Account on at GOV.UK. Parents and Carers can also send back a completed copy of the form they were issued earlier in 2022, or contact HMRC via phone.
HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary Angela MacDonald said: “Child Benefit provides vital financial support for families and we want to make sure no-one misses out because they haven’t updated their details on time.”
Child Benefit is issued to eligible parents or carers who have responsibility for a child under the age of 16, or under the age of 20 if they are in full-time education or training.
Approved education
In order to qualify for Child Benefit, the education must be full-time, and can include:
- Scottish Highers
- A levels or similar, for example Pre-U, International Baccalaureate
- T levels
- 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
Courses do not count if they are funded by an employer. University degree and BTEC Higher National Certificates are also not eligible.
Approved training
Training should not be paid, and courses that are part of job contracts do not qualify. It can include:
- Employability Fund and No One Left Behind programmes in Scotland
- Foundation Apprenticeships or Traineeships in Wales
- PEACE IV Children and Young People 2.1, Training for Success, or Skills for Life and Work in Northern Ireland
Apply for an extension
You may get a 20-week Child Benefit extension if your child departs approved education or training and signs up with either their local careers service or the armed forces.
Extensions can be applied for online, via web chat, by phone, or by post.
In order to be eligible for an extension, your child must:
- Be 16 or 17
- Work less than 24 hours a week
- Not get certain benefits (for example Income Support)
According to HMRC guidelines, you must also have been entitled to Child Benefit immediately before they departed the education or training and submit an application for it less than three months of them leaving.
More information can be found here.
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