Households have been warned they could lose up to £1,406.60 in child benefit if they fail to meet an HMRC deadline on August 31. The warning applies to parents with children aged 16 to 19 who are continuing in approved education or training after the summer.
Child benefit payments and the August 31 deadline
Child benefit typically stops on August 31 when a child turns 16. However, parents can extend their claim if their child remains in non-advanced education or training. The benefit for the 2026/2027 tax year is £27.05 per week for an eldest or only child, totalling £1,406.60 over 12 months. For other children, it is £17.90 per week, or £930.80 annually.
Parents do not need to wait for a letter to apply; they can extend their claim via GOV.UK or the HMRC app as long as they know their child is eligible. HMRC states that child benefit can continue until the child turns 20 if they are in certain types of education or training, accepted onto the course before age 19, and not receiving universal credit.
How to extend child benefit
According to HMRC, parents must inform the department about their child's education or training. Only the person claiming child benefit can do this. The government adds: "You must tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about their education or training." A letter may be sent in the child's last year of school asking for details of their plans.
Child benefit automatically stops on August 31 if the child leaves education or training after turning 16, parents do not inform HMRC of continued education, or the child is in a type of education where child benefit cannot be claimed. Full-time non-advanced education is defined as more than an average of 12 hours per week of supervised study or course-related work experience. If the child has an illness or disability, they can do fewer hours if appropriate.
Eligible education and training
Non-advanced education includes A levels, NVQ levels 1, 2, and 3, and Scottish Highers. Parents cannot get child benefit if their child is studying for a degree, BTEC Higher National Certificate, or other advanced qualifications.
A benefits specialist at Vettory.org commented: "This is the kind of deadline that can be missed because nothing has changed day to day. Your child may be going back into education, but HMRC still needs that confirmation or the payment can stop."
Advice for parents
Parents should check any HMRC letters, use the official online service or app, and keep a record of the course or training details. The specialist added: "If there is any uncertainty, act before August 31 rather than waiting until payments have already stopped."
