As GCSE results day approaches on 22 August 2024, many families are thinking about the next steps for their school-leaving children. If your child intends to continue with approved education or training, make sure to extend your Child Benefit claim before 31 August to ensure you continue receiving financial support.

When Can You Extend Your Child Benefit? Child Benefit can continue if your child, aged 16 to 19, is enrolled in full-time non-advanced education or approved unpaid training. This includes:

  • Non-Advanced Education:
    • A levels or Scottish Highers
    • International Baccalaureate
    • T levels
    • NVQs up to level 3
    • Home education (if started before the child turned 16, or after 16 with a special educational needs statement assessed by the local authority)
  • Approved Unpaid Training:
    • In Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships, or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme
    • In Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success, or Skills for Life and Work
    • In Scotland: the No One Left Behind programme

If your child will be pursuing any of these options, you can extend your Child Benefit payments.

When Can’t You Extend Child Benefit? You cannot extend Child Benefit if your child is starting full-time employment, entering an apprenticeship as part of a job contract, or enrolling in a course that isn’t classified as non-advanced education.

How to Extend Your Child Benefit Payments To extend your claim, notify HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by 31 August 2024. The process is straightforward and can be done online via GOV.UK or the HMRC app. You’ll need a Government Gateway user ID and password, which you can easily set up if you don’t have one. Have your National Insurance number or postcode, and two forms of ID ready for registration.

So far, over 270,000 parents have successfully extended their claims digitally. This method updates your records immediately and avoids the wait times associated with phone calls. If online access is not possible, you can still reach out to HMRC by post or phone.

Don’t Miss Out Child Benefit provides valuable financial assistance, with up to £1,331 annually for the first or only child, and £881 for each additional child. Missing the deadline will result in a halt of payments. Even if you have opted out due to the High Income Child Benefit Charge, keeping your claim details up to date is essential, as you can quickly opt back in if your circumstances change.

What If Your Child Changes Their Mind? If your child decides not to continue with their education or training, you can update HMRC online or via the app. Your Child Benefit payments will be adjusted accordingly. You can also check your claim status, view payment details, and manage your claim through the app or online portal.

Act Now With the 31 August deadline approaching, don’t delay in extending your Child Benefit claim. If you need assistance with your claim, feel free to contact us—we’re here to help!

See more information here: Extend Child Benefit for Your Teen by 31 August