Parents urged to update details or risk delayed Child Benefit payments

Child Benefit recipients need to update their details shortly (Image: GETTY) Parents and guardians who receive Child Benefit payments are reminded to update their details before the upcoming deadline on August 31. This deadline specifically affects those with a child aged 16 who had been in education or training but has since left or is due to leave this month. According to guidance from HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) on GOV.UK , Child Benefit payments will continue until one of four specific dates after the child’s 16th birthday is reached. The next date on the calendar is Thursday, August 31. However, it is important to note that failing to update the details in time may result in delayed payments. Child Benefit is a payment made to individuals who are responsible for bringing up a child under the age of 16, or a young person under 20 who is still in full-time education or on approved training courses. Changes in circumstances can also affect the entitlement to Child Benefit (Image: GETTY) The weekly payment from HMRC is £24.00 for the eldest or only child, and £15.90 for additional children. The benefit is paid every four weeks in arrears, either on a Monday or a Tuesday. There is no limit to the number of children a parent or guardian can claim for. There are several reasons why Child Benefit could end or be reduced. One possible reason is if the recipient fails to update their details on time. Child Benefit automatically stops on August 31 after the child turns 16, unless HMRC is notified that the child is continuing in full-time education or training, or if they are joining the armed forces or a government-sponsored careers programme. If a child stays in education or training but later decides to leave, the Child Benefit payments will continue until the first of the following dates after their 16th birthday: The last day in February May 31 August 31 November 30 It is crucial to update the details in a timely manner to ensure uninterrupted payments. If the details are not updated on time, it may still be possible to claim Child Benefit, but the payments might be delayed. Changes in circumstances can also affect the entitlement to Child Benefit. It is important to inform HMRC of any changes as soon as possible, as they can impact the amount of Child Benefit received. Some changes may result in reduced or no Child Benefit at all. Here are some circumstances that may affect Child Benefit: Earnings: If you or your partner starts earning more than £50,000, a Child Benefit tax charge will apply. If the earnings exceed £60,000, the tax charge will cancel out the Child Benefit entirely. Separation or divorce: In the event of separation or divorce, only one of the parents will receive Child Benefit, typically the parent with whom the child lives. Change in living arrangements: Moving house will not affect Child Benefit if the child still lives with the recipient. If the recipient goes abroad, they will still receive Child Benefit for the first eight weeks (or 12 weeks if receiving medical treatment) as long as they continue to live in the UK and do not stay abroad for more than a year. Change in immigration status: If the recipient is from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein and loses the “right to reside,” the Child Benefit will stop. For non-EU individuals, changes in immigration status may also affect Child Benefit, but the recipient’s partner may still be eligible to claim. Changes in the child’s circumstances: Any changes in the child’s circumstances must be reported to HMRC . This includes when the child turns 16 or 20 if they are in education or training, if they leave education or training between the ages of 16 and 20, if they start working more than 24 hours per week, if they get married or form a civil partnership, if they go missing or die, if they live away from the recipient for more than eight weeks in a row, if they move in with their partner permanently, or if they leave the country for more than 12 weeks (unless it is for school education or medical treatment) or go to prison for more than eight weeks. Receipt of other benefits: If the recipient starts receiving payments from the local council or someone else who is looking after the child, the Child Benefit may be reduced or stopped altogether. Additionally, if the recipient is receiving other benefits, the Child Benefit amount may be affected by the benefit cap. It is essential to stay informed about these factors and promptly update the details to ensure the continued receipt of Child Benefit payments. Failure to do so may result in delays or a loss of entitlement. This article was crafted with the help of AI tools, which speed up Express.co.uk ‘s editorial research. A news editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to readercomplaints@reachplc.com .