Child Benefit
What is it?
Child Benefit is a tax-free benefit paid to most people with children. You do not need to have paid any national insurance contributions to get Child Benefit and it does not matter how much money you have coming in, or what savings you have.
Do I qualify?
You can get Child Benefit if you are responsible for a child aged under 16, or a young person aged under 20 if they are still in full-time education up to A level or equivalent, or on certain approved training courses.
This means that most parents can get Child Benefit, but you can also get it if you are bringing up a child and you are not the biological parent.
You cannot usually get Child Benefit for a child you are fostering.
You get Child Benefit for each child you are responsible for.
Usually, you and your child have to be living in the UK to claim Child Benefit. If you do not live in the UK, you leave the UK for more than a few weeks, or your child is not living in the UK, the rules are complicated.
You cannot usually claim Child Benefit for a child who is in local authority care or in prison.
For an easy way to find out which benefits might apply to you and your circumstances go to What can I claim?
The Benefits Maximisation Service can provide personal advice on what you may be entitled to and help you make a claim. For more information go to Benefits Maximisation Service.
How much is it?
Child Benefit is paid at a higher rate for your oldest child and at one rate for all your other children.
Child Benefit for oldest child £18.80 per week
Child Benefit for other children £12.55 (per qualifying child) per week
How do I apply?
You should claim Child Benefit by completing form CH2 which you can get from the Child Benefit Office, HM Revenue and Customs enquiry centres or Jobcentre Plus offices.
The Child Benefit Office number is 0845 302 1444 (text phone 0845 302 1474) in England, Wales and Scotland, and 0845 603 2000 in Northern Ireland.
You can download this form from HM Revenue and Customs web site at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/index.htm, or you can make an application online.
When you claim Child Benefit, you will have to provide your national insurance number, or information to help the office find your number. If you do not have a national insurance number, you will have to apply for one before you can claim.
You can get Child Benefit for up to three months before the date you make your claim. This is called backdating. You can only do this if you met the conditions for the benefit before you claim. You should explain on your claim form when your entitlement to child benefit started (for example, when your child was born). It does not matter why you did not claim earlier.
If you want help with claiming backdated Child Benefit contact our Benefits Maximisation Service.
What if I am not satisfied with the decision?
If you are refused benefit you can write asking for a revision within one month from the date on the decision. This means that a different Decision Maker will look at your claim again.
It is very important that you reply within one month, as you may not be able to challenge the decision otherwise.
If you are still unsatisfied once the revision has taken place you can ask to have your case heard by an independent appeal tribunal. This usually has to be on a form called a GL24, which is available from any DWP office. You can also ask the DWP to post one to you. Again, you must make your appeal within one month of the date of the revision.
Our Benefit Maximisation Service can help you with revisions and appeals.
What if my circumstances change?
Changes to your circumstances and those of your children can affect your eligibility for Child Benefit. For example:
- A child leaves a course of full-time education
- A child stops living with you
- A child aged 16 or over starts paid work.
Disclaimer
Although every effort is made to ensure the information on these pages is accurate and up to date, it should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.