HMRC restarting £117 monthly payments for households in September

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed that UK households whose Child Benefit claim stopped at the end of last month can restart payments in September.

The tax office stopped Child Benefit payments for parents of 16 to 19-year-olds who failed to extend their claim by the deadline of August 31 if their teenager decided to stay in certain types of education or training. Around 1.5 million reminder letters were sent out to households earlier this year warning that payments would stop on August 31 if claims weren’t extended in time. But for those who missed the deadline, HMRC has now confirmed that Child Benefit payments can be restarted in September by applying for an extension.

The tax office said it takes “a couple of minutes” to apply using the HMRC app or online via GOV.UK, meaning those who are eligible can continue to get help with childcare costs.

Following a 3.8% uplift on April 6, Child Benefit is worth £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child in the 2026 to 2027 tax year and £17.90 per week for each additional child.

Under these rates, parents with one child can get £1,406.60 worth of Child Benefit payments from HMRC per year, which amounts to £117.22 per month on average over a 12-month period.

But those with two children can get even more and as there’s no limit for the number of children you can claim for – other than the Benefit Cap – so it’s a cash boost well worth having.

As such, parents of teenagers who are staying in education or training are urged to apply to extend their Child Benefit claim from this month to boost their income by £117.22 per month.

In a reminder on X this week, HMRC said: “Forgot to let us know your kids are continuing education in the back to school rush? Don’t worry! Your Child Benefit claim will have stopped, but you can apply to restart it again in just a couple of minutes.

“Apply for a child benefit extension using the HMRC app or online. Find out more here.”

Child Benefit can continue for teenagers studying full time in non-advanced education, including A levels, T levels, Scottish Highers, NVQs up to level 3, and certain approved training schemes.

The benefit cannot be claimed for children doing a university degree, a standard apprenticeship in England, or a course that forms part of a job contract.

In the event a child’s plans change and they decide to leave education or start a paid apprenticeship, HMRC must be informed straight away to avoid claimants being overpaid.

In cases where a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an individual adjusted net income of more than £60,000, the higher earner may be subject to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). This can be paid through your PAYE tax code using the HICBC digital service, or through Self Assessment.