HMRC has issued a reminder that new parents who claim child benefit online could get their first payment in time for their baby’s first Christmas
More than one million parents have claimed online or via the HMRC app since new digital service to claim child benefit launched, with only 13% of claims now made manually.
Child benefit is worth £1,331 a year for the first child and £881 a year for an additional child. It can be claimed online at gov.uk or via the HMRC app just 48 hours after registering a baby’s birth and parents typically receive their first payment within three working days.
Parents are opting to claim for child benefit digitally because it is quick and simple to do. Latest figures show 87% of new claims each month are via the app or online – ensuring more parents are getting their cash quicker.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: ‘Having a baby is a busy and expensive time but claiming child benefit online or via the app means you’ll get cash in your bank account as soon as possible.
‘Claim now and you could get your first payment in time for your baby’s first Christmas. Download the HMRC app today.’
Claims can be backdated by up to 12 weeks and child benefit is typically paid every four weeks.
The free HMRC app makes managing claims easier as families can use the app to track payments and update their details on the go – from changing their address or bank details, to seeing when their next payment is landing.
To get started, parents will need to create an online account for HMRC services. To make a claim for child benefit, they will need:
• child’s birth or adoption certificate
• bank details
• National Insurance number for themselves and their partner, if they have one
• child’s original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document, for children born outside the UK
HMRC has released a YouTube video which explains what new parents need to do and how to make a claim.
If either parent has individual income between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner will be subject to the high income child benefit charge (HICBC). For families who fall into this category, the online child benefit tax calculator provides an estimate of how much benefit they will receive, and what the charge may be.
The £50,000 HICBC threshold rose to £60,000 on 6 April 2024.
If families claimed child benefit before 6 April 2024, and the higher earner had an individual income of over £50,000, they may have to pay the tax charge for 2023-24 tax year. If they need to pay the charge, they must register for self assessment.
Families who were subject to the HICBC when the threshold was £50,000 and opted out of payments are able to restart their payments quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app if they choose to.
There’s more to child benefit than just payments though, as claimants receive National Insurance (NI) credits which count toward their future eligibility for the state pension.
A person living in a household subject to the HICBC will still receive NI credits if they claim child benefit but opt out of receiving payments.
Claiming child benefit also makes sure the child automatically gets their National Insurance number when they turn 16.
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