Thousands of parents across the UK could see their Child Benefit payments abruptly stop at the end of May 2025, as a key deadline approaches for families with 16-year-olds in education or training. This significant financial support, worth £26.05 per week for the first child and £17.25 for additional children, automatically terminates unless specific actions are taken to maintain eligibility. Understanding why these payments may stop and what steps to take is crucial for families who rely on this vital income support.
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Understanding Child Benefit in 2025
Child Benefit is a regular payment made to parents or guardians who are responsible for raising a child under 16, or under 20 if they remain in approved education or training. Administered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the benefit provides financial assistance to millions of families across the UK.
As of April 2025, the Child Benefit rates have increased to:
| Child | Weekly Rate | 4-Weekly Rate | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| First or only child | £26.05 | £104.20 | £1,354.60 |
| Additional children (per child) | £17.25 | £69.00 | £897.00 |
These payments represent a 1.7% increase from the previous year’s rates and provide crucial financial support for over 7.6 million households across the UK.
Why Child Benefit Payments Could Stop in May 2025
Child Benefit does not continue indefinitely. There are specific circumstances under which payments will automatically terminate, with May 31, 2025, being a critical cut-off date for many families. Here are the key reasons why payments could stop:
1. Your Child Has Turned 16 and Left Education
The most common reason for Child Benefit termination is when a child reaches the age of 16 and is no longer in approved education or training. Child Benefit automatically stops on August 31st following a child’s 16th birthday unless HMRC is notified that the child will continue in education or training.
For children who have continued in education past 16 but then leave their course in early 2025, payments will stop at the end of the next quarterly cut-off date, which is May 31, 2025.
2. Failure to Confirm Continued Education Status
Even if your child is continuing in education or training, HMRC requires confirmation of this status. If you fail to respond to HMRC’s request for information about your child’s education plans, your payments will automatically stop.
HMRC typically sends letters to parents during their child’s final school year before they turn 16 or before they turn 18/19 if they previously confirmed continued education. Failure to respond to these communications will result in benefit termination.
3. Your Child Has Completed Their Approved Education or Training
When a child completes or leaves their approved education or training, Child Benefit payments will stop at the next quarterly cut-off date: February, May 31, August 31, or November 30, whichever comes first. For many students finishing courses in spring 2025, May 31 is the relevant deadline.
4. Your Child Has Started Advanced Education
Child Benefit is only payable for children in non-advanced education. If your child has moved on to advanced education (such as a university degree course, BTEC Higher National Certificate, or similar higher qualification), you’ll no longer be eligible for Child Benefit.
5. Your Child Has Started Paid Training or an Apprenticeship
If your child begins paid training where they receive a wage (such as certain types of apprenticeships), this may disqualify you from receiving Child Benefit. Only unpaid approved training qualifies for continued payments.
What Qualifies as Approved Education or Training?
To continue receiving Child Benefit past your child’s 16th birthday, they must be enrolled in what HMRC considers “approved education or training.” Understanding these definitions is crucial:
Approved Education
Education must be full-time (more than 12 hours a week of supervised study) and can include:
- A-levels or equivalent qualifications
- T-levels
- Scottish Highers
- NVQs and other vocational qualifications up to level 3
- Home education (if it started before your child turned 16, or after 16 if they have special educational needs)
- GCSEs
- Pre-university Foundation years (non-advanced)
Your child must have been accepted onto the course before their 19th birthday for you to qualify.
Approved Training
Training must generally be unpaid and can include:
- In England: Foundation Apprenticeships or Traineeships
- In Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships, or Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme
- In Scotland: Foundation Apprenticeships or the No One Left Behind scheme
- In Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth programme, Training for Success, or Skills for Life and Work
How to Prevent Your Child Benefit from Stopping
To ensure your Child Benefit payments continue beyond May 2025 if your child is still in eligible education or training, follow these steps:
1. Respond to HMRC Communications
If you receive a letter or email from HMRC asking about your child’s education status, respond promptly with the requested information. These communications are usually sent in a child’s final year of compulsory education or when they approach 18/19 years of age.
2. Proactively Notify HMRC
Even if you haven’t received a letter, you can and should proactively notify HMRC if your child is continuing in education or training. This can be done:
- Online: Through your Government Gateway account at www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19
- Via the HMRC app: Download the free HMRC app to manage your Child Benefit
- By phone: Call the Child Benefit Helpline on 0300 200 3100
- By post: Write to the Child Benefit Office, detailing your child’s education plans
3. Keep HMRC Updated About Changes
If your child’s circumstances change – such as switching courses, taking a break from education, or leaving education entirely – you must inform HMRC promptly. Failure to report changes could result in overpayments that you’ll be required to repay.
4. Consider Extension Periods
In some circumstances, you may be eligible for a 20-week extension of Child Benefit if your child leaves education or training and registers with a careers service or joins the armed forces. You must apply within 3 months of your child leaving education.
Impact on Other Benefits and Considerations
The termination of Child Benefit can have wider implications for your household finances:
Effect on Universal Credit and Tax Credits
If you receive Universal Credit or Child Tax Credits, these will also be affected when your child no longer qualifies as dependent. You must inform both HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of changes to your child’s education status.
National Insurance Credits
Even if your income is too high to receive Child Benefit payments (due to the High Income Child Benefit Charge), registering for Child Benefit provides National Insurance credits that count toward your State Pension. Consider claiming but opting out of receiving payments if your household income exceeds £60,000.
Child’s National Insurance Number
Children registered for Child Benefit automatically receive their National Insurance number before they turn 16. This is another reason to maintain your claim even if you opt out of receiving payments.
Important Deadlines to Remember
Mark these critical dates on your calendar to ensure your Child Benefit payments continue without interruption:
- 31 May 2025: Payments will stop for children who have left education or training since the previous cut-off date (February 2025)
- 31 August 2025: The next quarterly cut-off date when payments will stop for children leaving education or training after May 2025
- 30 November 2025: The subsequent quarterly cut-off date
How to Check Your Child Benefit Status
If you’re unsure about your current Child Benefit status or payment schedule, you can:
- Check your Child Benefit payment details through your Government Gateway account at www.gov.uk/child-benefit
- Use the HMRC app to view your payment details and claim status
- Contact the Child Benefit Helpline on 0300 200 3100 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
Future Changes to Child Benefit in 2025-26
HMRC has announced some changes to Child Benefit administration that will take effect in 2025:
- Digital Service Expansion: A new digital service is expected to launch in summer 2025, allowing families to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge through their PAYE tax code
- Automatic Enrollment: Plans to streamline the Child Benefit application process for new parents
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss the deadline to inform HMRC about my child’s education?
If you miss the deadline, your Child Benefit payments will stop. However, you can contact HMRC to restart your claim if your child is still in eligible education or training. Payments may be backdated up to 3 months.
Can I claim Child Benefit if my child is studying part-time?
No, the education must be full-time, which means more than 12 hours per week of supervised study or course-related work experience.
Will I still receive Child Benefit during school/college holidays?
Yes, payments continue during normal school or college holidays as long as your child intends to return to their course afterward.
What if my child takes a gap year before university?
Child Benefit usually stops if your child takes a gap year, as they are no longer in approved education or training. However, if they return to eligible education before their 19th birthday, you may be able to claim again.
Official Resources and Links
For more information and official guidance, visit these government websites:
- Child Benefit when your child turns 16 – GOV.UK
- How to claim Child Benefit – GOV.UK
- Check if a change affects your Child Benefit – Citizens Advice
- How and when your benefits are paid – GOV.UK
- DWP benefits statistics – GOV.UK
Understanding the rules and deadlines for Child Benefit is essential for family financial planning. By staying informed and taking prompt action when required, you can ensure that these valuable payments continue for as long as your child remains eligible, preventing any unexpected loss of income in May 2025.
