A ten-day warning has been issued for parents who risk losing £1,152 a year before Christmas unless they act NOW. Most parents in the UK are eligible to claim child benefit which can boost their incomes by THOUSANDS – but mums and dads worryingly have just a week left to claim.
Parents and carers whose 16-year-olds are continuing in full-time education need to let the Government know before November 30. If mums and dads fail to, then benefits could stop – at a time where UK households can little afford it, given the Cost of Living crisis which is ongoing.
You get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16 or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child. You normally qualify for Child Benefit if you’re responsible for a child under 16 and you live in the UK.
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You’ll usually be responsible for a child if either you live with them or you’re paying at least the same amount as Child Benefit (or the equivalent in kind) towards looking after them – for example on food, clothes or pocket money. You can claim Child Benefit 48 hours after you’ve registered the birth of your child, or once a child comes to live with you.
Child Benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months. 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. The person who claims will get National Insurance credits towards their state pension if they’re not working.
You’ll need your child’s birth or adoption certificate and your bank or building society details to apply, as well as your National Insurance number and your partner’s National Insurance number, if you have one. Your Child Benefit stops on 31 August on or after your child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training.
It continues if they stay in approved education or training, but you must tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). When your child leaves approved education or training, payments will stop at the end of February, 31 May, 31 August or 30 November (whichever comes first).
You could get Child Benefit for 20 weeks if your child leaves approved education or training and either registers with their local careers service, Connexions or signs up to join the armed forces.
