Parents across Wales have been issued a crucial reminder by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that they have a limited timeframe to notify the authorities if their 16 to 19-year-old child is continuing their education or training. Failure to provide this information promptly could result in the cessation of child benefit payments. This notification urgency coincides with a significant week for hundreds of thousands of teenagers as they receive their GCSE results on Thursday, August 22.
For parents whose 16 to 19-year-olds have not extended their child benefit claim yet, the deadline for doing so is August 31. By extending their claim, parents can ensure the uninterrupted receipt of child benefit if their child is pursuing approved education or training. To facilitate this process, HMRC is encouraging parents to promptly extend their claim online on GOV.UK or via the HMRC app. Over 270,000 parents have already successfully extended their claims digitally, with changes applied to their records efficiently without the need for phone waiting times.
It is essential for parents to keep their claim details up to date, even if they have opted not to receive child benefit payments due to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. Those who wish to resume receiving child benefit payments can easily do so online on GOV.UK or through the HMRC app. Child benefit can amount to up to £1,331 annually for the first or only child and up to £881 per year for each additional child.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, emphasised the significance of child benefit as a crucial financial support for many households, encouraging eligible families not to miss out. Victoria Benson, CEO of Gingerbread, a charity for single-parent families, highlighted the importance of extending claims before the imminent August 31 deadline to ensure families receive this vital financial aid.
To maintain child benefit for children engaged in full-time non-advanced education, various educational paths are eligible, including A-levels, Scottish Highers, and vocational qualifications up to level 3. Similarly, approved unpaid training programmes for youth in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland are also eligible for continued child benefit. Any changes in educational or training circumstances must be promptly reported to HMRC through their online services or mobile app for swift benefit adjustments.
To access HMRC’s online services, parents require a Government Gateway user ID and password, which can be obtained by signing up on GOV.UK using their National Insurance number or postcode along with two forms of identification. Failure to meet the impending deadline may result in disrupted child benefit payments for families across Wales, underscoring the urgency for parents to ensure their child’s education or training details are promptly communicated to HMRC.