Households claiming Child Benefit will automatically receive larger payments from tomorrow as rates rise by 6.7 percent.
Child Benefit is paid to anyone responsible for someone under the age of 16, or under the age of 20 if they are in approved education or training.
In the current tax year, it is worth £1,248 to households for the first child plus £826 for each additional child.
From tomorrow, HMRC wrote in a new post on social media platform X: “From April 6, 2024, millions of families who claim Child Benefit will automatically receive increased payments.
“You can view payments and manage your claim on the HMRC app.”
In the post’s accompanying video, HMRC explained: “From April 2024, Child Benefit payments will see an increase, with parents receiving up to £1,331 annually for their first child, and £881 for each additional child.
“Around 7.7 million families are claiming Child Benefit. Make sure you’re not one of the families missing out.”
In the current tax year (2023/24), Child benefit is only paid in full to households where no parent earns over £50,000.
Once either parent starts to earn over this amount, they must pay back one percent of the Child Benefit for every £100 of income earned above £50,000 a year.
Under the new system, which starts tomorrow (April 6), the lower limit will be lifted from £50,000 to £60,000 – which means any household where the highest earner is paid less than £60,000 will receive the full amount of Child Benefit.
The move will see around 170,000 more families qualify for the benefit, which will provide a welcomed boost to household income while inflation runs high.
Who can claim Child Benefit?
To claim Child Benefit, people need to live in the UK and be responsible for someone under the age of 16.
This usually means they live with the child or pay at least the same amount as Child Benefit towards looking after them. Only one person can claim Child Benefit, even if a person is in a couple.
People may be able to keep on claiming Child Benefit until the child turns 20 if they are in approved education or training.
This can include A-Levels, NVQs or even home education, but it does not include university or BTEC qualifications.
