Child Benefit: What It Is and Who Can Claim

If you have a child under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in full‑time education), you probably qualify for child benefit. It’s a tax‑free payment from the government that helps with everyday costs like clothes, food and school supplies. You don’t need a high income to claim – anyone who meets the age criteria can apply.

How Much You’ll Receive

The standard rate is £21.80 per week for your first child and £14.45 for each additional child. These figures can change each tax year, so it’s worth checking the latest numbers on the official website before you start your claim.

How to Apply – Step by Step

1. Get the CH2 form online or by phone.
2. Fill in your personal details, your partner’s National Insurance number (if you have one) and your child’s birth information.
3. Send the completed form to the Child Benefit Office – you can post it or upload a scanned copy if you prefer.

After they process your form (usually within a few weeks), you’ll start receiving payments directly into your bank account.

If you’re not sure whether you need to claim, think about these quick questions: Do you have a child under 16? Are you living in the UK? Do you have a National Insurance number? If you answered yes to all, go ahead and claim – there’s no penalty for being late, but you might miss out on a few weeks of payments.

One thing to watch out for is the High Income Child Benefit Charge. If you or your partner earn over £50,000 a year, you’ll have to pay back some of the money through a tax return. The charge increases gradually and hits 100% at £60,000. You can still claim the benefit and then reclaim the amount you overpaid when you file your taxes.

For families who move abroad, you can still receive child benefit if you’re a UK‑registered parent. However, you’ll need to let the Child Benefit Office know your new address, and you might have to fill out a different form.

Common mistakes to avoid: forgetting to include your partner’s NI number, not updating your address after a move, and missing the deadline for the HMRC tax return if the high‑income charge applies. Double‑checking these details saves you time and hassle later.

Need help? The Child Benefit helpline is free and open on weekdays. They can walk you through the form, answer questions about the high‑income charge, and tell you when to expect your first payment.

Bottom line: child benefit is a straightforward way to get extra cash for your kids. It’s free, it’s simple to claim, and it can make a real difference in your household budget. So if you haven’t applied yet, grab that form and get it done – your family will thank you.