Hessian bag with Child Benefit written on it next to coins and calculator
Digital services make Child Benefit admin easier

In April’s edition of Employer Focus, we explained how more parents could be better off by claiming Child Benefit thanks to changes to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) from 6 April 2024. In particular, parents with adjusted net income of up to £60,000 should consider restarting their Child Benefit claim, and even those with income up to £80,000 could be better off thanks to the recent HICBC changes.

In May, HMRC also started writing to parents reminding them that they can extend their Child Benefit claims for teenagers aged 16-19 who are staying in approved education or training. If parents don’t extend their claims, Child Benefit payments will cease on 31 August after the child’s 16th birthday.

Digital services

The good news for busy parents is that HMRC have expanded the digital support available through the Personal Tax Account and HMRC App to deal with the above Child Benefit tasks, along with many others.

The range of digital services available for Child Benefit now includes:

  • Improved claims process – the new digital service means payments should start within seven days, rather than 19 under the old ‘print and post’ service. Claims can be backdated by up to three months for those who haven’t claimed Child Benefit before, subject to eligibility.
  • SMS confirmation option for new claims – this provides certainty a claim has been received.
  • Ability to access proof of entitlement (if needed) and view the previous five payments – digital proof of entitlement can be downloaded or forwarded by email, and should be accepted by local authorities.
  • Option to change the bank account your Child Benefit is paid into.
  • Ability to extend Child Benefit claims for 16-19 year olds in approved education or training.
  • Facility to opt back in to receiving payments (particularly relevant for those no longer affected by the HICBC, as outlined above).

The expansion of digital support for Child Benefit services should mean many parents can deal with issues at a time to suit them, and without the need to wait for phone support or fill in paper forms.

 

This article reflects the position at the date of publication shown above. If you are reading this at a later date you are advised to check that that position has not changed in the time since.    

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