Parents have one week after GCSE results day to tell HMRC that their 16 year old is continuing their education or training, to continue receiving child benefit.

Child benefit payments stop automatically on 31 August after a child turns 16 unless the parent takes actions to continue claiming until they reach 18.

HMRC recently wrote to parents about extending their child benefit claim. The letter included a QR code which, when scanned, directs them to gov.uk to update their claim online. Any changes will be applied to their child benefit claim immediately.

Child benefit will continue to be paid for children who are studying full time which can include:

• A levels;
• International Baccalaureate;
• T levels;
• NVQs up to level 3;
• traineeships in England; and
• home education - if it started before their child turned 16 or after 16 if they have special needs.

Child benefit will also continue for children studying on one of these unpaid approved training courses:

• in Wales, foundation apprenticeships, traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme; and
• in Northern Ireland, PEACE IV Children and Young People 2.1, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work

Parents will need a Government Gateway user ID and password to use HMRC’s online services. They will need their National Insurance number or postcode and two forms of ID to register for a personal tax account with HMRC. 

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: ‘Child benefit can provide financial support to families, so make sure you don’t miss out if your teenager is still eligible. You can quickly and easily extend your claim online or via the HMRC app, just search ‘Child Benefit when your child turns 16’ on gov.uk.’