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Don’t Let Child Benefit Slip Through the Net When Your Child Turns 16

  • Writer: Heather Langtree
    Heather Langtree
  • May 19
  • 2 min read

A timely reminder for clients with teenagers: Child Benefit does not automatically continue once a child reaches 16. Failing to act can result in payments stopping unnecessarily.


What’s changing?


Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August following a child’s 16th birthday unless HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is notified that the young person is continuing in approved education or training started before their 19th birthday.


What do I need to do?


HMRC typically contacts parents between April and July, but it is important not to rely on this, as HMRC advises that parents may be sent a reminder letter. You can (and should) confirm your child’s plans as soon as they are known.


How to continue or claim Child Benefit


You can:


  • Log into your HMRC online account and confirm your child is staying in approved education or training

  • Use the HMRC app to update your Child Benefit details

  • Respond to HMRC’s letter, which should explain how to confirm details online or by post

  • Make a new claim if you are not already receiving Child Benefit and meet the eligibility conditions


Claims can usually be backdated for up to three months, so it is worth applying promptly if entitlement has been missed.


When can Child Benefit continue beyond age 16?


Payments can continue if the child remains in:


  • Full-time non-advanced education (for example A-levels, Scottish Highers, NVQs up to Level 3, or home education started before age 16)

  • Approved unpaid training programmes


If this is confirmed in time, Child Benefit can usually continue until the young person turns 20, provided the eligibility conditions continue to be met. Claimants should ensure HMRC is informed promptly of any change in circumstances that may affect entitlement.


Key deadline


If no confirmation is provided by 31 August following the child’s 16th birthday, payments will usually stop automatically. Reinstating them later can cause delays and disruption to cash flow.


Practical tips


If you have children approaching age 16, now is a good time to:


  • Check your contact details with HMRC are up to date

  • Confirm your child’s post-16 plans early (August holidays can make this easy to overlook)

  • Keep records of your confirmation

  • Review whether you may now be eligible to make a claim


Useful HMRC links


 

 
 
 

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