HMRC has issued a two-week warning to approximately 214,000 UK households who may be missing out on Child Benefit payments worth £1,354 a year.
Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds must confirm their children remain in full-time education or approved training by August 31, or risk losing this vital financial support from September onward.
Why This Warning Matters
Child Benefit delivers £26.05 per week—equivalent to £1,354 annually—for the eldest or only child, and £17.25 per week (or £897 annually) for each additional child.
Missing the August 31 renewal deadline means payments stop and cannot be backdated, putting families at risk of losing essential income and National Insurance credits that count toward their state pension.
How Many Are Affected?
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Households missing out | 214,000 |
| Annual amount for eldest child | £1,354 |
| Weekly amount for eldest child | £26.05 |
| Weekly amount for additional child | £17.25 |
| Deadline to act | August 31 |
What You Must Do Now
- If your child turned 16, you must confirm they are in full-time education or approved training by August 31.
- HMRC sent reminders between May and July, but action is needed to avoid automatic discontinuation of the benefit after the deadline.
- Failure to renew results in payments ceasing from September, with no retroactive restoration possible.
Hidden Costs of Missing Out
- Losing over £100 per month in benefit can force families to cut back on essentials or rely on credit.
- The National Insurance credit tied to Child Benefit helps build your state pension. Missing one year may cost you about £342 annually, while missing the entire eligibility period could mean losing £4,000 or more per year in future pension income.
The two-week warning from HMRC is a critical alert for families with 16 to 19-year-olds.
Confirming full-time education or training status by August 31 ensures continued access to Child Benefit—worth £1,354 annually per eldest child—and protects your entitlement to pension-boosting National Insurance credits.
Act now to safeguard both your household budget and future retirement income.
FAQs
Can I still claim Child Benefit if I miss the August 31 deadline?
No. If you don’t confirm your child’s education status by the deadline, payments stop from September and cannot be backdated.
Does missing Child Benefit affect my state pension?
Yes. Without submitting the claim, you forgo National Insurance credits, risking a lower state pension and potentially losing £342+ annually.
What steps should I take today?
Confirm your child’s education or training status with HMRC before August 31 to keep receiving Child Benefit and associated pension credits.