Families must update their claims before the August 31 deadline if teenagers are staying in education or training

Parents across the UK are being urged to act before an August 31 deadline or risk losing up to £117.21 a month in Child Benefit payments.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned that Child Benefit payments will automatically stop at the end of the month unless parents confirm their child will continue in approved education or training.

The deadline comes as students across the UK receive their exam results ahead of the new academic year.

Scottish Qualifications Authority results for National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers were released on August 4.

A Level results in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are due on August 13, with GCSE results following on August 20.

Parents whose children intend to remain in education or approved training after receiving their results must update their Child Benefit claim before August 31.

Claims can be updated using the HMRC app or through the Government website.

For the 2026/2027 tax year, Child Benefit is worth £27.05 a week for a first or only child and £17.90 a week for each additional child.

That equates to £1,406.60 a year for the eldest or only child and £930.80 annually for each additional child.

A family with two eligible children could therefore receive a total of £2,337.40 over the course of a year.

Missing the August 31 deadline could result in families losing up to £117.21 every month if they remain entitled to the benefit.

HMRC posted on social media on August 4: "Don't miss out on up to £1,406 a year."

The requirement applies to parents of young people aged 16 to 19 who are starting a new course of full-time non-advanced education or an approved unpaid training programme in September.

HMRC said around 1.5 million reminder letters were issued to families from late April, with most arriving by early May.

Last year, 874,000 parents successfully extended their Child Benefit claims.

More than half completed the process online through the HMRC app or website.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's chief customer officer, said: "Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenager already knows they're staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s, you don't need to wait for our letter.

"You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK."

Child Benefit can continue for young people studying full-time in non-advanced education or taking part in an approved unpaid training course.

Full-time education is generally defined as more than 12 hours a week of supervised study or course-related work experience.

Home schooling can also qualify, while young people with an illness or disability may remain eligible even if they study fewer hours.

Families in which either parent earns between £60,000 and £80,000 may also need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

HMRC says the charge can be calculated using the tax calculator on the Government website and can be paid through a PAYE tax code or via Self Assessment.

Parents whose child is already enrolled on a course that HMRC has previously been notified about do not need to take any further action.