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  "path": "/money/hmrc-warning-families-risk-losing-benefit-payments",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-04T12:02:18.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Families rush to raid pensions amid fears of HMRC inheritance tax raids",
    "Tax raid FAILS as councils face losing £383million despite charge on second homes",
    "State pension 'shock' as ONE MILLION retirees 'dragged into tax system' under HMRC rule",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nAround 1.5 million UK households will receive letters from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) from 8 May, urging parents of teenagers to take action on their Child Benefit claims.\n\nFamilies are being reminded they must extend their claim before August 31 or risk losing payments worth £1,406.60 a year.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe letters are being sent to parents of 16‑ to 19‑year‑olds, giving them several months to confirm their teenager’s education or training plans.\n\nPayments will automatically stop if no action is taken.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nChild Benefit normally ends on or after a child’s 16th birthday unless parents confirm their next steps.\n\nParents must renew their claim if their child continues in full‑time non‑advanced education or approved unpaid training after completing GCSEs or National 5s.\n\nThose whose children are already enrolled in a course that HMRC has been notified about do not need to respond.\n\nChild Benefit rates rose by 1.7 per cent on April 6.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nParents now receive £27.05 a week for their eldest or only child, and £17.90 for each additional child.\n\nThis equates to £108.20 every four weeks for one child, or £1,406.60 a year.\n\nFamilies with two children receive £2,337.40 annually.\n\nMyrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said parents do not need to wait for a letter if their teenager already knows they are staying in education or training.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Families rush to raid pensions amid fears of HMRC inheritance tax raids\n  * Tax raid FAILS as councils face losing £383million despite charge on second homes\n  * State pension 'shock' as ONE MILLION retirees 'dragged into tax system' under HMRC rule\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nClaims can be extended immediately via the HMRC app or the GOV.UK website, with letters including a QR code linking directly to the service.\n\nLast year, 874,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claims, with more than half completing the process online or through the app.\n\nThe end of the two‑child cap marks one of the most significant welfare changes in nearly a decade, with charities saying it will lift thousands of children out of hardship.\n\nMinisters argue the move will provide targeted support for working families, although some critics have questioned whether the funding could have been directed elsewhere.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe rise comes as millions of households face higher bills at the start of the financial year, from council tax to water charges.\n\nAnalysts say the increase in universal credit’s basic allowance will offer some relief, but warn that frozen income tax thresholds continue to pull more workers into higher bands.\n\nDisability benefits have also risen by 3.8 per cent, while the state pension has increased by 4.8 per cent under the triple lock.\n\nThe Government says the combined measures form part of a wider package to help households manage rising living costs.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "HMRC warning as 1.5 million families risk losing £1,406 benefit payments"
}