Families in receipt of Child Benefit are being reminded to take action before an important deadline
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued an urgent call to families with teenagers aged 16 to 19, warning that Child Benefit payments could be automatically cut off.
The tax authority is reminding families that vital benefit support could be withdrawn unless parents confirm their child's education or training plans before the August 31 deadline.
Every year, HMRC sends letters to parents whose children are reaching 16, asking whether the young person intends to stay in approved education or training beyond Year 11.
Those who fail to respond risk losing payments worth more than £1,400 annually for an eldest or only child, even in cases where the teenager remains fully eligible.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Chief Customer Officer, stressed that the process takes just minutes: "If you've received a letter asking you to confirm your 16 to 19-year-old's plans, you need to act before August 31."
The benefit is currently paid at £27.05 per week for a first or only child, amounting to £1,406.60 over the course of a year, while each subsequent child attracts £17.90 weekly.
Payments are typically made on a four-weekly cycle, though certain families receive them weekly instead.
Children under 16 qualify automatically, but the benefit can be extended up to the age of 20 provided the young person remains in approved, full-time, non-advanced education or training.
Qualifying courses include A levels, T Levels, GCSEs, Scottish Highers, NVQs and equivalent qualifications.
Teenagers enrolled on approved unpaid training programmes also meet the criteria, allowing their parents to continue receiving payments beyond the standard cut-off age.
However, the benefit cannot normally be claimed if the young person has enrolled on a university degree, taken up a standard apprenticeship in England, or is undertaking a course that forms part of paid employment.
HMRC has reassured families whose teenagers have not yet settled on their next steps.
Ms Lloyd added: "If your child hasn't yet confirmed their plans, don't panic - but do act as soon as they have decided. If there's any chance they'll be staying in qualifying education or training, extend your claim before August 31 to avoid missing any payments."
She also cautioned that any shift in circumstances must be reported without delay: "If your child's plans change - for example, if they decide to leave education or take up an apprenticeship.
"You must tell HMRC as soon as possible to avoid being overpaid. Overpayments may need to be repaid, so it's important to keep your details up to date."
The fastest route to extending a claim is through the HMRC app or the gov.uk website. Parents who have already received correspondence from the tax authority can also use the QR code printed in their letter to go straight to the online service.
Ms Lloyd emphasised that families need not wait for official communication: "You can also log in to the HMRC app or go directly to GOV.UK to extend your claim. You don't need to wait for a letter - if you already know your teenager's plans, you can act right now."
For those unable to use digital services, HMRC can be reached by telephone or post using the contact details included in the letter.
