The cost of raising a child will now be made easier with the fact that new parents can claim Child Benefit online, for the first time since this application was launched, back in 1977.
For the past 47 years, there has been no way to complete this online. Up till now families claiming Child Benefit have had to fill out a paper form, post it and wait up to a maximum of 16 weeks for their first payment. This process has been updated to make it a lot easier. Now the claims process on GOV.UK can take about 10 minutes to complete and payments could be transferred in as little as 3 days.
Child Benefit Rates
For the eldest, or the first child, the rate is £24 a week (£1,248 a year).
The rate for each additional child is £15.90 a week (almost £827 a year).
Claims can be backdated for up to 12 weeks and families are encouraged to complete the application process as soon as possible, so that they don’t miss out.
Please visit the government website to view the other rates and allowances, including tax credits, Child Benefits and Guardian’s Allowances.
High Income Child Benefit Charge
You may have to pay High Income Child Benefit Charge if you or your partner:-
- has an individual income that is £50,000 or over, as well as receiving Child Benefit; or
- has a child living with you where someone else gets Child Benefit and they contribute at least an equal amount towards the child.
If your income is over the threshold, you can either choose to:
- get Child Benefit payments and pay any tax charge at the end of each year; or
- not receive Child Benefit payments if you do not wish to pay the tax charge.
On the basis you are choosing to opt out of payments, you are still encouraged to complete the Benefit claim form. All you need to do is state on the form that you do not want to receive payments.
You will need to fill in the claim form if you would like to:
- Receive National Insurance credits, count towards your State Pension.
- Get your child a National Insurance number without them having to apply for one. Your child will usually be given a number prior to them turning 16 year old.
During a recent interview with Martin Lewis, the Chancellor Jeremey Hunt acknowledged that this is a problem and said ‘‘it’s one of many unfairness’s in the tax system and there is a list of things to look for in the budget’’.
When Can You Start the Application Process?
Claims can be made 48 hours after your child’s birth has been registered, or once a child comes to live with you. Please note, you will need your child’s birth certificate when you complete the claim.
Parents with children over 3 months old who haven’t yet completed a claim could receive up to 3 months’ backdated Child Benefit. If this applies to you then it is recommend you apply as soon as possible.
Parents with children over 6 months’ old may be required to download and print their completed claim form and send it through the post.
What is Needed When Making a Claim?
Here is what you will need to hand, when completing the claim:
- The child’s birth certificate
- Your bank details
- Your National Insurance number
- If you have a partner, you will need their National Insurance number
Families who have adopted children, or whose child’s birth was registered outside the UK, can claim for Child Benefit online. However additional information will need to be sent through the post to support their application.
After Applying for Child Benefit
Once families have completed the application online, they can download the HMRC app to help manage their Child Benefit. This app allows families to quickly update changes in regard to their circumstances and even details such as bank details, as well as see their last 5 Child Benefit payments.
Please refer back to the High Income Child Benefit Charge point if your income changes.
Further Information
If you are looking for extra information regarding Child Benefits, please check out these GOV.UK websites: