HMRC warning as parents could be missing out on £108 a month

Parents are being urged not to overlook the opportunity to "extend" a benefit payment worth up to £27 each week. Many may be unaware they could qualify for an additional four years of Child Benefit support. Child Benefit is a tax-free payment provided by the UK government to assist parents or anyone with caring responsibilities for a child. Claims can be made for any child aged under 16. The current weekly rate stands at £27.05 for your eldest or only child, dropping to £17.90 per week for each subsequent child. There's no limit on the number of children you can claim for, with payments usually transferred to your bank account every four weeks. Crucially, however, claims can be maintained for a child until they reach 20 years of age, provided they remain in approved education or training. In a message posted to social media platform X, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reminded parents of this option. HMRC said: "Did you know? Child Benefit can continue after your child turns 16. If they're staying on in education or approved training after summer, your payments can continue. Find out how to extend your claim in the HMRC app or online." On the Government website HMRC explains that you can get Child Benefit until your child turns 20 if they’re in certain types of education or training and they: Are accepted onto the course before they turn 19 Do not get Universal Credit However, you must tell HMRC about their education or training. Only the person who is claiming Child Benefit can do this. Your Child Benefit automatically stops on August 31 on or after your child’s 16th birthday if: They leave education or training You do not tell HMRC that they’re staying in education or training They’re staying in a type of education or training where you cannot get Child Benefit You can get Child Benefit if your child is in full time non-advanced education. Full time is more than an average of 12 hours a week of supervised study or course-related work experience. If your child has an illness or disability, they can do fewer hours if that’s appropriate for them. Non-advanced education includes: A levels or similar, for example International Baccalaureate T levels GCSEs Scottish Highers NVQs and most vocational qualifications up to level 3 Home education Study programmes in England A pre-apprenticeship You cannot get Child Benefit if your child is studying for a: University degree BTEC Higher National Certificate Pre-degree course - for example a foundation diploma or access to higher education course Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) level 7 Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) You can get Child Benefit if your child is doing an unpaid “approved training” course. Approved training includes: In Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme In Scotland: the No One Left Behind programme In Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work You cannot get Child Benefit if your child is: On an apprenticeship (unless it’s a Foundation Apprenticeship in Wales) Doing a course with an employer’s agreement - for example in order to get a job with that employer, or to get skills for a job they’re already in Doing a training course that is part of a job contract If your child is over 16 but still qualifies for Child Benefit you must use the online service to tell HMRC that your child is staying in education or training. You can do this online here . You could also get Child Benefit for 20 weeks (called an extension) if your child leaves education or training and registers with either: Their local careers service, Connexions (or a similar organisation in Northern Ireland, the European Union, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) The Ministry of Defence, for example to join the armed forces For more information, visit GOV.UK here .