Families receiving Child Benefit for children in the last year of school or home education must inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of their education status now or risk losing the support.
The looming deadline is less than two weeks' away. Parents and carers have until August 31 to confirm whether their teenagers will be staying in full-time education or training beyond 16.
HMRC has sent out reminder letters prompting parents to quickly confirm the education status of their teenagers. This follows last week's GCSE and Scottish National Certificate results announcement where millions of teenagers received their exams results.
Families are eligible for Child Benefit payments only if their teenagers continue full-time education or training.
Parents or carers are being urged to update their records online via GOV.UK. Alternatively, they can return the 297b form sent to them by HMRC.
What is Child Benefit?
Child Benefit is paid to eligible parents or carers who are responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they are in full-time non-advanced education or approved training.
Parents or carers receiving Child Benefit and who also have an income over £50,000 (or their partner does), may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge via an annual Self Assessment tax return.
Families are asked to be mindful of high-profile bank account closures in the coming months.
- M&S Bank current accounts will close on August 31
- Post Office card accounts will close November 30
- Tesco current accounts will close November 30
If parents and carers are using these accounts to access Child Benefit payments, HMRC strongly recommends customers act now to open a new bank, building society or credit union account.
HMRC must be notified of customers' new bank account details before the above closure dates. If customers miss these deadlines, payments will be suspended until a valid bank account is provided.
Parents and carers can contact HMRC’s helpline (0345 300 3900) or use their Personal Tax Account. To find out how to open a bank account, visit Citizens Advice now.
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