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  "path": "/money/hmrc-warning-parents-risk-losing-payments",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-10T05:00:02.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Iconic British restaurant chain confirms 23 site closures after entering administration",
    "Major British sports brand confirms 24 store closures in latest blow to embattled high street",
    "Shell oil profits hit £5bn as critics claim 'energy firms cashing in on Iran war'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nAround 1.5 million households across the UK will begin receiving letters from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) today reminding parents to update their Child Benefit claims or risk losing payments worth at least £1,406.60 a year.\n\nThe letters are being sent to families with children approaching or over the age of 16, as Child Benefit automatically stops at that point unless parents confirm their teenager will remain in approved education or training.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nParents whose children plan to continue in school, college or qualifying training programmes after completing GCSEs or National 5s must notify HMRC before August 31 to continue receiving payments.\n\nFamilies who fail to act before the deadline will see Child Benefit payments stop automatically.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFollowing a 1.7 per cent increase introduced on April 6, Child Benefit now pays £27.05 a week for the eldest or only child in a household.\n\nParents receive £17.90 a week for each additional child.\n\nAs payments are issued every four weeks, families with one child receive £108.20 during each payment cycle, which amounts to £1,406.60 over the course of a year.\n\nFamilies with two children receive an additional £69 every four weeks, increasing annual support by £930.80.\n\nThere is no limit on the number of children parents can claim for, although overall payments remain subject to the Benefit Cap.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHMRC said parents do not need to wait for their letter to arrive if they already know their teenager will continue in education or training from September.\n\nMyrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s chief customer officer, said: “Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenager already knows they’re staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s, you don’t need to wait for our letter.\n\n“You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK.”\n\nParents can update claims through the HMRC app or on the Government website.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Iconic British restaurant chain confirms 23 site closures after entering administration\n  * Major British sports brand confirms 24 store closures in latest blow to embattled high street\n  * Shell oil profits hit £5bn as critics claim 'energy firms cashing in on Iran war'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe letters also include a QR code linking directly to HMRC’s online service to simplify the process for households.\n\nParents only need to update their claim if their teenager is starting a new course or qualifying training programme in September.\n\nFamilies whose children are already continuing on a course that HMRC has previously been informed about do not need to take further action.\n\nHMRC said 874,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claims last year.\n\nMore than half completed the process online or through the HMRC app.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe tax authority warned that payments will stop automatically from August 31 if claims are not extended before the deadline.\n\nHigher earning households may also face additional tax considerations linked to Child Benefit payments.\n\nIf either parent earns between £60,000 and £80,000 individually, the higher earner may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge.\n\nThat charge can be paid either through PAYE or Self Assessment.\n\nChild Benefit remains one of the most widely claimed forms of financial support for families across Britain, particularly during periods of rising household costs and inflationary pressure.\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 parents risk losing payments worth £1,406"
}