Millions of households will see their monthly payments increase after Easter
Millions of families receiving Child Benefit will see their payments increase from next week, HMRC has announced. From 6 April, some parents will see their entitlement rise to £1,400 a year to help with the costs of raising children in the UK.
People who have not received this free government support should consider applying to HMRC. It can be submitted online here and is retroactive up to three months from the date of your application.
From Monday 6 April, Child Benefit recipients will receive £27.05 a week (up from £26.05) – or £1,406.60 a year – for an older or only child. Any children born after that will get £17.90 a week – or £930.80 a year.
There is no limit to the number of children whose parents can claim Child Benefit. Recent statistics have found that, although more than 6.9 million families receive Child Payments, only 72% of families do so in the first year of their babies.
A Child Benefit claim can be backlogged from the time HMRC accepts your claim, meaning thousands of families lose out. Claiming Child Benefit also ensures that a child gets their National Insurance number automatically when they turn 16, reports the Express.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s chief customer officer, said: “Looking after a child can be expensive, especially a newborn. It only takes a few minutes to claim Child Benefit through the app and doing so as soon as possible after your baby is born will ensure you don’t miss out on vital financial support.”
Child Benefit is usually deposited into a bank account every four weeks. Users of the HMRC tool can monitor their Child Benefit payments online. As of April 2025, more than 928,000 parents used the HMRC app to manage their Child Benefit account, including:
- to make a new application
- updating the status change
- to correct personal or bank details
- adding children to the claim
- to view or print Evidence of Child Benefit Entitlement
- they tell us that their children continue with full-time, part-time education or approved training
With this update, the maximum Child Benefit (HICBC) payment has also increased to £60,000. If you or your partner earn more than £60,000, you can still claim full child benefit but you must pay 1% of the total for every £200 earned over £60,000.
The charge applies when one spouse earns more than £60,000, regardless of the combined family income. Couples earning £55,000 do not pay the levy.
How do you apply for Child Benefit?
The application process can be started online here. The following documents are required to submit a claim:
- your child’s birth or adoption certificate, if you have one
- your bank or building society details
- your National Insurance number – if you have one
- your partner’s National Insurance number (if you have a partner)
Parents can still apply without a birth or adoption certificate, but doing so will delay the process. You may be asked to provide a certificate as proof after registration.
If your child’s birth was registered outside the UK, you will need to send your child’s original birth certificate or adoption certificate and your child’s passport (or travel document they used to enter the UK).
People wishing to make a claim can contact the Child Benefit Office with any questions or to get help with the process. Your National Insurance number will be needed to help staff find your details.
#HMRC #Child #Benefit #rates #rise #April