STORY
Parents whose children have turned 16 are being reminded that Child Benefit can automatically stop on 31 August unless they tell HM Revenue and Customs that their teenager is continuing in qualifying education or approved training. The deadline affects families with teenagers beginning a new eligible course or training programme after their GCSEs or National 5s.
Child Benefit can continue for young people in full time non advanced education or approved unpaid training. HMRC says parents can extend a claim through its app or online service and do not need to wait for a reminder letter. Parents whose teenager is already part way through a course that has previously been reported to HMRC do not need to provide the information again.
The benefit is currently worth £27.05 a week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each additional child. HMRC says around 1.5 million parents of 16 to 19 year olds were due to receive reminder letters about the rules. Families subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge may still claim the benefit and can choose to opt out of receiving the payments while retaining associated National Insurance credits.