HMRC Issues Urgent Deadline, Renew Child Benefit or Lose £1300 Support in 2025

The UK’s HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a final reminder to parents and guardians across the country: renew your Child Benefit claim for teenagers aged 16 to 19 who are continuing their education or approved training in September, or risk losing this crucial payment from 31 August 2025.

More than 1.5 million letters have been dispatched to households, stressing the importance of acting before the deadline. Families who fail to renew will see payments stop automatically following their child’s 16th birthday, a move that could mean the loss of over £1,300 per year for the eldest child and nearly £900 for every additional child.

With inflation still high and household budgets stretched, HMRC is highlighting just how vital these payments are—and how quickly parents can secure them using online services.

Why Renewals Matter Now

Child Benefit has long provided a stable financial supplement to help families manage school uniforms, transport, books, and food costs. Payments are usually made every four weeks, though single parents or those receiving certain benefits may receive them weekly.

For 2025, the rates remain:

Child Position	Weekly Rate	Annual Total
Eldest or only child	£26.05	£1,354.60
Each additional child	£17.25	£897.00

Without timely renewal, families risk disruption to this income just as a new academic year begins.

Renewal Options for Parents

While HMRC has sent reminders by post, families are not required to wait for the letter. Parents can update their claim as soon as their child’s September plans are confirmed.

Available renewal methods include:

• HMRC App or GOV.UK portal – the fastest and simplest option, providing immediate confirmation.
• Telephone service – for those unable to use digital channels.
• Postal applications – using forms sent or downloadable from GOV.UK.

Failure to renew by 31 August 2025 means payments will stop automatically, and reinstating them later can take weeks—leaving families without essential support.

Who Qualifies for Continued Child Benefit?

Child Benefit continues beyond age 16 if the young person is:

• Enrolled in full-time, non-advanced education (A-levels, Scottish Highers, or equivalent).
• Participating in unpaid approved training programs that meet HMRC’s standards.

Importantly, courses linked to paid employment contracts do not qualify. Families are urged to confirm course eligibility with providers to avoid overpayment issues or later clawbacks.

High Income Child Benefit Charge Explained

For higher-earning families, Child Benefit comes with a catch: the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).

• Applies where the claimant or their partner earns between £60,000 and £80,000 annually.
• The higher earner is responsible for paying the charge.
• In many cases, this has led families to opt out of receiving Child Benefit entirely.

From summer 2025, HMRC will simplify this process: affected families will be able to pay the charge directly via their PAYE tax code, reducing the need for a full Self Assessment tax return. An online calculator is available to help households estimate how much of the benefit they can keep.

Opting Back In After Opting Out

Some parents previously declined Child Benefit to avoid HICBC complications. HMRC now confirms that families can opt back in easily:

• Reactivate through the HMRC app or GOV.UK portal.
• Payments will restart promptly once the claim is processed.

This flexibility ensures families who see a change in income or tax circumstances can once again benefit from the scheme.

Child Trust Funds: A Parallel Reminder

Alongside the renewal push, HMRC is also reminding parents of teenagers born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 about their Child Trust Fund (CTF) accounts.

• These accounts were automatically opened for children and may now contain several thousand pounds.
• At age 16, teenagers gain control of their account, though withdrawals can only begin at 18.
• If the provider is unknown, HMRC offers a free online tool to locate and confirm the account.

This reminder highlights another source of support for families navigating the costly transition from school to adulthood.

Managing Claims Digitally

To reduce paperwork and provide faster service, HMRC encourages families to manage Child Benefit claims online. Digital services allow parents to:

• Check payment schedules and amounts.
• Download proof of claim for schools or local authorities.
• Add new children to their claim.
• Update bank details or addresses instantly.

These tools are designed to ensure no interruption in payments, especially during high-demand periods like summer renewals.

Key Dates Parents Must Remember

Date	Action Required
31 August 2025	Renew Child Benefit for 16–19-year-olds continuing education/training
Summer 2025	PAYE option begins for High Income Child Benefit Charge
Age 16	Teenager can take control of Child Trust Fund
Age 18	Teenager can withdraw Child Trust Fund savings

Missing these deadlines could result in lost payments or delays in accessing funds.

Acting Early Protects Families

HMRC stresses that acting quickly is the best way to ensure payments continue without disruption. With over £1,300 a year at stake for the eldest child and nearly £900 for each additional child, families cannot afford to miss the renewal window.

Renewing early also offers peace of mind, allowing parents to focus on preparing their teenagers for the new academic year rather than scrambling to resolve payment gaps.

5 FAQs on Child Benefit Renewal 2025

Q1. What happens if I miss the 31 August 2025 Child Benefit renewal deadline?
Your Child Benefit payments will stop automatically after your child’s 16th birthday, and reinstating them later can take weeks.

Q2. How do I renew Child Benefit quickly?
The fastest method is via the HMRC app or GOV.UK portal, which provides immediate confirmation of your updated claim.

Q3. Can Child Benefit continue after my child turns 16?
Yes, if your child is in full-time non-advanced education (such as A-levels or Scottish Highers) or participating in approved unpaid training.

Q4. What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge?
It is a tax charge for families where one partner earns £60,000–£80,000 annually. Starting summer 2025, it can be deducted directly via PAYE.

Q5. Can I restart Child Benefit if I opted out before?
Yes, families can opt back in at any time through the HMRC app or GOV.UK, and payments will resume once processed.