[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":742},["ShallowReactive",2],{"/en/guides/child-benefits/uk-child-benefit-2026":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":704,"description":705,"extension":706,"faq":707,"meta":732,"navigation":735,"path":736,"publishedAt":737,"relatedCalculator":635,"seo":738,"stem":739,"updatedAt":740,"__hash__":741},"guides_en/en/guides/child-benefits/uk-child-benefit-2026.md","UK Child Benefit 2026/27: Rates, Eligibility & How to Claim",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":679},"minimark",[9,13,32,35,38,43,50,104,109,116,126,135,144,147,151,156,177,180,200,207,211,232,235,239,243,246,257,307,313,317,322,348,353,378,388,403,407,414,425,432,435,439,443,465,469,476,481,484,488,495,499,506,509,513,520,526,540,543,547,601,605,611,617,623,629,638,645,649],[10,11,5],"h1",{"id":12},"uk-child-benefit-202627-rates-eligibility-how-to-claim",[14,15,16],"blockquote",{},[17,18,19,23,24,27,28,31],"p",{},[20,21,22],"strong",{},"Last verified:"," 2 April 2026 | ",[20,25,26],{},"Source:"," GOV.UK / HMRC | ",[20,29,30],{},"Applies from:"," 6 April 2026 (2026/27 tax year)",[17,33,34],{},"UK Child Benefit is one of the most straightforward government payments available to families — virtually every household with children qualifies, regardless of income. Yet many families lose out through late claims, misunderstanding the High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge (HICBC), or not realising that high earners should still claim for National Insurance credit purposes.",[17,36,37],{},"This guide covers the current 2026/27 rates (from 6 April 2026), eligibility rules, the HICBC thresholds, exactly how to claim, and how to maximise your entitlement.",[39,40,42],"h2",{"id":41},"uk-child-benefit-rates-202627","UK Child Benefit Rates 2026/27",[17,44,45,46,49],{},"The following rates apply from ",[20,47,48],{},"6 April 2026"," (2026/27 tax year), confirmed by GOV.UK:",[51,52,53,72],"table",{},[54,55,56],"thead",{},[57,58,59,63,66,69],"tr",{},[60,61,62],"th",{},"Child",[60,64,65],{},"Weekly Rate",[60,67,68],{},"4-Week Payment",[60,70,71],{},"Annual Amount",[73,74,75,90],"tbody",{},[57,76,77,81,84,87],{},[78,79,80],"td",{},"Eldest or only child",[78,82,83],{},"£27.05",[78,85,86],{},"£108.20",[78,88,89],{},"£1,406.60",[57,91,92,95,98,101],{},[78,93,94],{},"Each additional child",[78,96,97],{},"£17.90",[78,99,100],{},"£71.60",[78,102,103],{},"£930.80",[17,105,106],{},[20,107,108],{},"Family examples:",[17,110,111,112,115],{},"A family with ",[20,113,114],{},"one child"," receives £1,406.60 per year.",[17,117,111,118,121,122,125],{},[20,119,120],{},"two children"," receives: £27.05 + £17.90 = ",[20,123,124],{},"£44.95/week → £2,337.40/year",".",[17,127,111,128,131,132,125],{},[20,129,130],{},"three children"," receives: £27.05 + £17.90 + £17.90 = ",[20,133,134],{},"£62.85/week → £3,268.20/year",[17,136,111,137,140,141,125],{},[20,138,139],{},"four children"," receives: £27.05 + (3 × £17.90) = ",[20,142,143],{},"£80.75/week → £4,199.00/year",[17,145,146],{},"Payments are made every four weeks into your bank account. The payment date is fixed when you register — you cannot choose when to receive it, but you will receive a consistent schedule.",[39,148,150],{"id":149},"who-is-eligible-for-child-benefit","Who is Eligible for Child Benefit?",[152,153,155],"h3",{"id":154},"the-child-must-be","The Child Must Be:",[157,158,159,167],"ul",{},[160,161,162,163,166],"li",{},"Under ",[20,164,165],{},"16 years old",", OR",[160,168,162,169,172,173,176],{},[20,170,171],{},"20 years old"," and in ",[20,174,175],{},"approved full-time education or training"," (see below)",[17,178,179],{},"Approved education and training for 16–19 year olds includes:",[157,181,182,185,188,191,194,197],{},[160,183,184],{},"A-levels, AS-levels, T-levels",[160,186,187],{},"NVQs and vocational qualifications up to Level 3",[160,189,190],{},"International Baccalaureate",[160,192,193],{},"Home education if it started before age 16 or was approved by the local authority",[160,195,196],{},"Traineeships",[160,198,199],{},"Unpaid approved training arranged by Jobcentre Plus",[17,201,202,203,206],{},"University or other higher education does ",[20,204,205],{},"not"," count — payments stop when a child starts a degree course.",[152,208,210],{"id":209},"the-claimant-must-be","The Claimant Must Be:",[157,212,213,219,225],{},[160,214,215,218],{},[20,216,217],{},"Responsible for the child"," — the child lives with you, or you contribute at least as much as the benefit amount to their upkeep",[160,220,221,224],{},[20,222,223],{},"Living in the UK"," — there are exceptions for civil servants, armed forces personnel, and certain EU-posted workers",[160,226,227,228,231],{},"Only ",[20,229,230],{},"one person"," per child can claim — if two people claim for the same child, HMRC decides who receives it (usually the parent the child lives with)",[17,233,234],{},"There is no minimum income requirement and no maximum income to qualify for the payment. However, high earners must repay some or all through the HICBC.",[39,236,238],{"id":237},"the-high-income-child-benefit-tax-charge-hicbc-in-2026","The High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge (HICBC) in 2026",[152,240,242],{"id":241},"current-threshold-60000","Current Threshold: £60,000",[17,244,245],{},"In April 2024, the government raised the HICBC threshold from £50,000 to £60,000. This change means an estimated 170,000 additional families became entitled to keep full Child Benefit.",[17,247,248,249,252,253,256],{},"If ",[20,250,251],{},"either"," partner in the household (not just the claimant) has an ",[20,254,255],{},"adjusted net income"," above £60,000:",[51,258,259,272],{},[54,260,261],{},[57,262,263,266,269],{},[60,264,265],{},"Income Range",[60,267,268],{},"HICBC Rate",[60,270,271],{},"Effect",[73,273,274,285,296],{},[57,275,276,279,282],{},[78,277,278],{},"Below £60,000",[78,280,281],{},"0%",[78,283,284],{},"Keep 100% of Child Benefit",[57,286,287,290,293],{},[78,288,289],{},"£60,001 – £80,000",[78,291,292],{},"1% per £200 over threshold",[78,294,295],{},"Partial clawback",[57,297,298,301,304],{},[78,299,300],{},"Above £80,000",[78,302,303],{},"100%",[78,305,306],{},"Full repayment required",[17,308,309,312],{},[20,310,311],{},"Adjusted net income"," is broadly your total income minus pension contributions (private, not employer) and Gift Aid donations. Contributing to a pension is one of the main legitimate ways to reduce adjusted net income below the threshold.",[152,314,316],{"id":315},"calculating-the-hicbc","Calculating the HICBC",[17,318,319],{},[20,320,321],{},"Example 1 — Single earner at £68,000:",[157,323,324,327,333,336,342],{},[160,325,326],{},"Income above threshold: £68,000 − £60,000 = £8,000",[160,328,329,330],{},"Charge rate: £8,000 ÷ £200 = 40 units × 1% = ",[20,331,332],{},"40%",[160,334,335],{},"Child Benefit for one child: £1,354.60/year",[160,337,338,339],{},"HICBC owed: 40% × £1,354.60 = ",[20,340,341],{},"£541.84",[160,343,344,345],{},"Net Child Benefit kept: ",[20,346,347],{},"£812.76/year",[17,349,350],{},[20,351,352],{},"Example 2 — Single earner at £75,000, two children:",[157,354,355,358,364,367,373],{},[160,356,357],{},"Income above threshold: £75,000 − £60,000 = £15,000",[160,359,360,361],{},"Charge rate: £15,000 ÷ £200 = 75 units × 1% = ",[20,362,363],{},"75%",[160,365,366],{},"Child Benefit for two children: £2,251.60/year",[160,368,369,370],{},"HICBC owed: 75% × £2,251.60 = ",[20,371,372],{},"£1,688.70",[160,374,344,375],{},[20,376,377],{},"£562.90/year",[17,379,380,383,384,387],{},[20,381,382],{},"Example 3 — Household with combined income £130,000 (each earns £65,000):","\nThe HICBC applies to ",[20,385,386],{},"individual"," income, not household income. Each earner is assessed separately.",[157,389,390,393,396],{},[160,391,392],{},"Both earn £65,000 — each is £5,000 over the threshold",[160,394,395],{},"Each owes 25% of the Child Benefit received (since the claimant receives it)",[160,397,398,399,402],{},"The ",[20,400,401],{},"higher earner"," is responsible for the charge — since both earn the same, either can be designated",[152,404,406],{"id":405},"the-ni-credits-argument-why-high-earners-should-still-claim","The NI Credits Argument: Why High Earners Should Still Claim",[17,408,409,410,413],{},"If neither partner is working (for example, one parent stays home after the child's birth), ",[20,411,412],{},"not claiming Child Benefit means losing National Insurance credits",". These credits:",[157,415,416,419,422],{},[160,417,418],{},"Count as qualifying years toward the State Pension",[160,420,421],{},"Are worth approximately £328/year in additional State Pension (at current rates, for life)",[160,423,424],{},"Cannot be recovered retroactively once lost",[17,426,427,428,431],{},"The correct approach for high earners is to ",[20,429,430],{},"claim Child Benefit",", receive the payments, then repay 100% through the HICBC via self-assessment — keeping the NI credits intact.",[17,433,434],{},"You can also opt out of receiving the payments (to avoid the administrative burden of self-assessment) while still maintaining the NI credits. This is done by ticking the relevant box when claiming, or by contacting HMRC after the claim is registered.",[39,436,438],{"id":437},"how-to-claim-child-benefit","How to Claim Child Benefit",[152,440,442],{"id":441},"online-recommended","Online (Recommended)",[444,445,446,453,456,459,462],"ol",{},[160,447,448,449,452],{},"Sign in or create a ",[20,450,451],{},"Government Gateway account"," at gov.uk",[160,454,455],{},"Navigate to \"Claim Child Benefit\" — this is now done through the HMRC app or the Gov.uk claim portal",[160,457,458],{},"Enter the child's name, date of birth, and National Insurance number (if over 16)",[160,460,461],{},"Provide your bank details for payment",[160,463,464],{},"Confirm responsibility for the child",[152,466,468],{"id":467},"by-post","By Post",[17,470,471,472,475],{},"Complete form ",[20,473,474],{},"CH2"," (available from gov.uk or HMRC offices) and send it with the child's original birth certificate (or adoption certificate) to:",[14,477,478],{},[17,479,480],{},"HMRC — Child Benefit Office\nPO Box 1\nNewcastle Upon Tyne\nNE88 1AA",[17,482,483],{},"HMRC will return original documents.",[152,485,487],{"id":486},"by-phone","By Phone",[17,489,490,491,494],{},"Call ",[20,492,493],{},"0300 200 3100"," (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). You will need your National Insurance number and the child's details.",[152,496,498],{"id":497},"how-far-back-can-you-claim","How Far Back Can You Claim?",[17,500,501,502,505],{},"HMRC will backdate Child Benefit claims by up to ",[20,503,504],{},"16 weeks",". This means if your child was born in November 2025 and you didn't claim until March 2026, you would receive backdated payment for 16 weeks — but not from the child's birth date.",[17,507,508],{},"Claim as early as possible. The sooner you claim, the more you receive. The 16-week backdating window applies from the date HMRC receives your claim, so don't wait.",[39,510,512],{"id":511},"when-child-benefit-stops","When Child Benefit Stops",[17,514,515,516,519],{},"Child Benefit automatically stops on ",[20,517,518],{},"31 August after the child's 16th birthday"," unless you tell HMRC the child is continuing in approved education or training.",[17,521,522,525],{},[20,523,524],{},"You must notify HMRC"," when:",[157,527,528,531,534,537],{},[160,529,530],{},"Your child leaves approved education before age 20",[160,532,533],{},"Your child starts a degree course or higher education",[160,535,536],{},"Your child starts paid work for more than 24 hours per week",[160,538,539],{},"Your child claims benefits in their own right (JobSeeker's Allowance, Universal Credit)",[17,541,542],{},"HMRC sends a reminder letter in advance of the child's 16th birthday asking you to confirm their education status. Respond promptly to avoid overpayment (which HMRC will recover).",[39,544,546],{"id":545},"child-benefit-and-other-benefits","Child Benefit and Other Benefits",[51,548,549,559],{},[54,550,551],{},[57,552,553,556],{},[60,554,555],{},"Benefit",[60,557,558],{},"Interaction with Child Benefit",[73,560,561,569,577,585,593],{},[57,562,563,566],{},[78,564,565],{},"Universal Credit",[78,567,568],{},"Child Benefit is NOT counted as income for UC purposes",[57,570,571,574],{},[78,572,573],{},"Free childcare hours",[78,575,576],{},"Separate entitlement; Child Benefit does not affect it",[57,578,579,582],{},[78,580,581],{},"Tax-Free Childcare",[78,583,584],{},"No interaction — both can be received simultaneously",[57,586,587,590],{},[78,588,589],{},"Scottish Child Payment",[78,591,592],{},"Separate; families in Scotland can receive both",[57,594,595,598],{},[78,596,597],{},"Housing Benefit (legacy)",[78,599,600],{},"Child Benefit IS counted as income",[39,602,604],{"id":603},"maximising-your-child-benefit","Maximising Your Child Benefit",[17,606,607,610],{},[20,608,609],{},"Pension contributions:"," If your income is just above £60,000, increasing pension contributions reduces your adjusted net income. Every £1,000 contributed to a personal pension reduces adjusted net income by £1,000, potentially moving you below the threshold and eliminating the HICBC entirely.",[17,612,613,616],{},[20,614,615],{},"Claim immediately:"," Don't wait until the 6-week check-up or any other appointment. You can claim the moment a child is born. The 16-week backdating limit is a hard cut-off.",[17,618,619,622],{},[20,620,621],{},"Both partners check income separately:"," Remember the HICBC applies to each individual's income, not combined household income. If one partner earns £79,000 and the other earns nothing, the charge applies at 95% of Child Benefit — not 100%.",[17,624,625,628],{},[20,626,627],{},"Self-assessment registration:"," If you are subject to the HICBC and are not already registered for self-assessment, you must register with HMRC. Failure to declare and pay the charge can result in penalties.",[17,630,631,632,637],{},"Use our ",[633,634,636],"a",{"href":635},"/child-benefits-calculator","Child Benefits Calculator"," to estimate your net Child Benefit after applying the HICBC based on your income, or to compare the value of Child Benefit against other family support options available in the UK.",[17,639,640,641,125],{},"For a broader view of all UK family benefits — including Universal Credit child elements, Tax-Free Childcare, and free childcare hours — see our ",[633,642,644],{"href":643},"/guides/child-benefits/family-benefits-uk-2026","Family Benefits UK 2026 guide",[39,646,648],{"id":647},"related-guides","Related Guides",[157,650,651,658,665,672],{},[160,652,653,657],{},[633,654,656],{"href":655},"/guides/child-benefits/uk-child-benefits-hub","UK Child Benefits 2026: Complete Guide"," — all UK child benefit and family payment programmes in one place",[160,659,660,664],{},[633,661,663],{"href":662},"/en/guides/child-benefits/child-benefit-calculator-guide/","Child Benefit Calculator Guide"," — calculate your exact weekly and annual entitlement",[160,666,667,671],{},[633,668,670],{"href":669},"/en/guides/child-benefits/family-benefits-uk-2026/","UK Family Benefits Overview"," — full overview of all UK family financial support",[160,673,674,678],{},[633,675,677],{"href":676},"/en/guides/child-benefits/high-income-child-benefit-charge-2026/","High Income Child Benefit Charge 2026"," — if your household earns over £60,000",{"title":680,"searchDepth":681,"depth":681,"links":682},"",2,[683,684,689,694,700,701,702,703],{"id":41,"depth":681,"text":42},{"id":149,"depth":681,"text":150,"children":685},[686,688],{"id":154,"depth":687,"text":155},3,{"id":209,"depth":687,"text":210},{"id":237,"depth":681,"text":238,"children":690},[691,692,693],{"id":241,"depth":687,"text":242},{"id":315,"depth":687,"text":316},{"id":405,"depth":687,"text":406},{"id":437,"depth":681,"text":438,"children":695},[696,697,698,699],{"id":441,"depth":687,"text":442},{"id":467,"depth":687,"text":468},{"id":486,"depth":687,"text":487},{"id":497,"depth":687,"text":498},{"id":511,"depth":681,"text":512},{"id":545,"depth":681,"text":546},{"id":603,"depth":681,"text":604},{"id":647,"depth":681,"text":648},"child-benefits","Complete guide to UK Child Benefit in 2026/27 — £27.05/week for eldest child, £17.90 for additional children from 6 April 2026, HICBC rules, and how to claim via HMRC.","md",[708,711,714,717,720,723,726,729],{"question":709,"answer":710},"How much is UK Child Benefit in 2026/27?","Child Benefit rates from 6 April 2026 are £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child, and £17.90 per week for each additional child. Annual equivalents are £1,406.60 for the eldest and £930.80 per additional child. Source: GOV.UK, confirmed April 2026.",{"question":712,"answer":713},"Who is eligible for Child Benefit in the UK?","You can claim Child Benefit if you are responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they remain in approved full-time education or training (not a university degree). You must live in the UK. There is no income test to receive the payment, but high earners face a clawback charge.",{"question":715,"answer":716},"What is the High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge threshold in 2026?","The HICBC threshold is £60,000. If either partner in the household has an adjusted net income between £60,000 and £80,000, the charge claws back 1% of the benefit for every £200 of income above £60,000. Above £80,000, the full benefit is repaid via self-assessment.",{"question":718,"answer":719},"How do I claim Child Benefit in the UK?","Claim online through your Government Gateway account at gov.uk, or complete a CH2 paper form and send it to HMRC's Child Benefit Office. You can also call 0300 200 3100. Claims can be backdated by up to 16 weeks (not three months as previously — HMRC extended the backdating period).",{"question":721,"answer":722},"Should I still claim Child Benefit if I earn over £80,000?","Yes. Even if the High Income Child Benefit Charge will cancel out all payments, claiming builds National Insurance credits for non-working partners, which count toward their State Pension. Stopping a claim means losing those NI credits. You can claim and pay back 100% via self-assessment.",{"question":724,"answer":725},"How long does it take to receive Child Benefit after claiming?","HMRC typically processes new claims within 12 weeks of receipt of the claim form or online application. Payments are made every four weeks directly into your bank account. In some cases, initial payment includes backdated weeks.",{"question":727,"answer":728},"Does Child Benefit affect other benefits?","Child Benefit itself does not reduce Universal Credit payments. However, it is counted as income for certain legacy benefits (Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit). From a practical standpoint, receiving Child Benefit does not disqualify you from any other family support payment.",{"question":730,"answer":731},"Can I claim Child Benefit for a child who is 16 or 17?","Yes. Child Benefit continues after a child's 16th birthday if they remain in approved full-time non-advanced education (A-levels, T-levels, NVQs up to level 3) or approved unpaid training. You must notify HMRC of their education status each year. Payments stop at age 20 or when they leave education, whichever comes first.",{"lastVerified":733,"sourceFamily":734},"2026-04-02","GOV.UK / HMRC",true,"/en/guides/child-benefits/uk-child-benefit-2026","2026-03-30",{"title":5,"description":705},"en/guides/child-benefits/uk-child-benefit-2026",null,"k-yD4EiCcxkkhpT5K65CMle3zZowXG2S-yg2c4Zxmew",1775557774990]