What is Child Benefit?
Originally introduced in 1977, Child Benefit is an additional payment designed to help parents and families in the UK cover some of the costs that come with having children. It’s different to Tax Credits and anybody who is responsible for raising a child can apply, regardless of income.
As well as providing financial support, claiming Child Benefit also allows you to earn National Insurance credits. This is particularly useful if you aren’t working – for example you may be taking a break whilst you raise your child(ren) – as it will ensure there are no ‘gaps’ in your National Insurance contributions, which count towards to your State Pension.
If you don’t need the additional income but would still like to earn the credits, you can apply for Child Benefit and choose not to receive the payment.
How much is Child Benefit?
Child benefit rates are:
- £25.60 per week for the eldest or only child
- £16.95 per week for any additional children
Payments are usually made every 4 weeks, but can be paid weekly in certain circumstances, such as for single parents.
If you earn over £60k, you’ll pay back 1 per cent of the Child Benefit for every £200 you earn between £60,000 and £80,000.
If you earn £80,000 or more, you have to pay back the full amount of Child Benefit through tax.
If you currently earn between £50,000 and £60,000 and are paying the High Income Child Benefit Charge, you’ll still need to complete your Self Assessment for the 2023/24 financial tax year by 31 January 2025 to pay what you owe for Child Benefit.
Can I apply for Child Benefit online?
Previously, it was only possible to apply for Child Benefit by completing a paper form and sending this off through the post.
You can apply for Child Benefit online. This gives more freedom when it comes to applying, and means that you’ll start receiving your payments much faster.
How do I apply for Child Benefit online?
To apply online for Child Benefit, you’ll need to:
- Create a Government Gateway account if you don’t already have one (you’ll need a passport and one other form of ID to do this).
- Activate your account using the code sent to you.
To help you complete your application, have the following documents/information to hand:
- Your child’s birth or adoption certificate
- Your bank details
- Your National Insurance number
- Your partner’s National insurance number (if applicable)
Child Benefit can be backdated up to three months, so try to submit your application as soon as possible. You can apply 48 hours after you’ve registered the birth of your child.
Frugal Mum, an online blogger who focuses on money-saving tips for families, has teamed up with HMRC to offer some tips and advice for applying for Child Benefit online:
You can apply online for Child Benefit here.
