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Millions of UK families claiming Child Benefit will get £1,354.60 per year from Monday, April 7, as new rates take effect.
Child Benefit is issued by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to eligible parents or guardians who are responsible for raising a child who is under the age of 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. Only one person can claim the benefit for a child, but there is no limit on the number of children you can claim for. Child Benefit provides an allowance for each child, which is paid every four weeks, and will also give claimants National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension.
As of Monday, April 7, 2025, parents will get £26.05 per week – or £1,345.60 per year – for the eldest or only child. For any additional children, parents will get £17.25 per week – or £897 per year.
In the 2024/25 tax year, Child Benefit was paid at a rate of £25.06 per week – or £1,303.12 per year – for the first or only child and £16.95 per week – or £881.40 per year – for each additional child.
It means that under the new rates, parents with one child will get an extra £42.48 per year, while those with two children will be £15.60 better off.
HMRC says the quickest and easiest way for parents and carers to claim Child Benefit, and view and manage their payments, is by downloading its free app. A new function in the app means you’ll get a notification once your claim is received, and your payment will follow within three days.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Extra pounds count and Child Benefit can give your household budget a boost. Claiming online or managing your Child Benefit payments via the HMRC app is quick and easy so, if you haven’t already, go to GOV.UK to start your claim today.”
Families are urged to claim Child Benefit as soon as possible after their baby is born as it can only be backdated up to three months.
To make a claim, parents will need to create an online HMRC account and will need their:
- child’s birth or adoption certificate
- bank details
- National Insurance number for themselves and their partner, if they have one
- child’s original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document, for children born outside the UK.
If either you or your partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, then the higher earner will be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. For families who fall into this category, the online Child Benefit tax calculator provides an estimate of how much benefit you’ll receive, and what the charge may be.
In the Spring Statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a new service that will give parents who are liable to the High Income Child Benefit Charge the option to report their Child Benefit payments and pay the charge directly through their PAYE tax code, instead of filing a Self Assessment tax return. The new digital service will be optional and those who choose to pay the charge through their Self Assessment can continue to do so.
HMRC says a person living in a household subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge will still receive National Insurance credits if they claim Child Benefit but choose to opt out of receiving payments.
