HMRC warning with Child Benefit payments at risk of being stopped for claimants

HMRC warns parents of August 31 Child Benefit deadline

Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds have until August 31 to tell HMRC whether their child will continue in approved education or training, or risk having their Child Benefit payments automatically stopped. The deadline applies to families whose child has recently turned 16 and is staying in full-time, non-advanced education or unpaid approved training.

HMRC is urging parents to act following GCSE results day, as children's next steps will determine whether the benefit can continue. Child Benefit can normally be extended until the child turns 20 if they meet the Government's criteria, but only if parents respond before the deadline.

As reported by multiple outlets, including Birmingham Live, Cambridge Evening News, and the Daily Express, more than 372,000 parents have already extended their claim digitally ahead of the deadline. For those who haven't yet responded, HMRC officials warn that payments will stop automatically if no action is taken by August 31, even if the child is in approved courses.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, said, "Exam results season is a big moment for teenagers deciding their next steps and it's the perfect time for parents to confirm those plans with us. Child Benefit is a vital source of support for many families and we don't want anyone to miss out. It only takes a few minutes using the HMRC app or GOV.UK, so make sure you're receiving the payments you're entitled to."

The benefit is worth up to £1,406.60 a year for the eldest or only child, and up to £930.80 a year for each additional child. For a family with one child, losing the benefit for the year could mean losing over £1,000 in Government support, as reported by the Express.

What counts as approved education or training?

The Government defines "full time" as more than an average of 12 hours per week of supervised study or course-related work experience, as explained by the Express. Teenagers with illnesses or disabilities may be allowed to do fewer hours and still qualify if it's appropriate for them.

Approved education or training includes: A levels or similar qualifications like the International Baccalaureate, T levels, GCSEs, Scottish Highers, NVQs and most vocational qualifications up to level 3, home education, study programmes in England, and pre-apprenticeship courses.

Excluded from eligibility are university degrees, BTEC Higher National Certificates, pre-degree courses such as foundation diplomas or access to higher education courses, Higher National Certificates (HNC) or Higher National Diplomas (HND) at level 7, and Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE).

These criteria are detailed in coverage from the Cambridge Evening News, Evening Chronicle, Daily Post, and South Wales Echo, among others.

How to extend the claim and what happens if circumstances change

Parents can extend their Child Benefit claim using the HMRC app, through GOV.UK, or if they received a letter from HMRC about the benefit ending, they can scan the QR code included in that letter. The process takes only a few minutes.

If a child leaves their course before completing it, parents must inform HMRC to avoid overpayments that would need to be repaid. If a child takes a temporary break from the course, it may still be possible to receive Child Benefit by contacting HMRC, but this must be declared.

Martin Lewis adds his voice

The financial expert and founder of MoneySavingExpert.com has also weighed in, urging parents to "act now" if their child has recently turned 16 and remains in education or approved training. He highlighted the risk of losing Child Benefit worth more than £1,400 a year if parents fail to confirm their circumstances.

In his social media warning, Lewis reminded parents that Child Benefit does not automatically continue when a child reaches 16. HMRC contacts parents to ask about their child's education, and parents must respond or notify HMRC online by August 31 following the child's 16th birthday.

He also noted that the benefit had increased in April 2026 by 3.8% to £27.05 a week for an eldest or only child, and £17.90 a week for each additional child.

What about the High Income Child Benefit Charge?

Parents also need to be aware of the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC), which applies when an individual's adjusted net income is above £60,000, as reported by the Express. The amount repaid through the charge increases as income rises, and it becomes a full confiscation of the benefit at incomes above £80,000.

However, claiming Child Benefit can still provide National Insurance credits that help protect entitlement to the State Pension, even for those who may have to pay back the benefit or part of it.

Families who have not claimed Child Benefit but should have, can generally have their claim backdate by up to three months.

Once a child's approved education or training ends, Child Benefit normally ends, with payments stopping at the end of February, May, August, or November. In certain situations, such as leaving education and registering with a careers service or joining the armed forces, the benefit may continue for an additional 20 weeks.

Steeping forward

The message from HMRC is clear: parents must act before August 31 if their child is aged 16 to 19 and entering approved education or training. With over 372,000 parents already having extended their claims at now is the time to check eligibility and avoid missing out on essential financial support.