What is Child Benefit?

For parents and carers bringing up a child under 16, or under 20 in approved education.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Child Benefit is a payment from HMRC for anyone bringing up a child under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training.

In 2026/27 it is £27.05 a week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each other child.
It is usually paid every 4 weeks.
Only one person can get it for each child.
Claiming also gives you National Insurance credits if your child is under 12.
If you or your partner have income over £60,000, you may have to pay some or all of it back through the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

Key facts

£27.05 a week for the first child
£17.90 a week for each other child
Paid every 4 weeks
Charge starts at £60,000 income

What Child Benefit is

Child Benefit is a regular payment for people bringing up children. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) runs it across the whole UK. It is not based on your income or savings, but higher earners may have to pay some or all of it back (see below).

Claiming also brings two extra benefits:

National Insurance credits if your child is under 12. These help fill gaps in your record for your State Pension.
A National Insurance number for your child, as they near 16.

How much you get in 2026/27

These rates apply from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027.

Child	Per week	Every 4 weeks	Per year (approx.)
Eldest or only child	£27.05	£108.20	£1,407
Each other child	£17.90	£71.60	£931

In 2025/26 the rates were £26.05 and £17.25.

Example 1: A family with two children gets £27.05 + £17.90 = £44.95 a week. That is £179.80 every 4 weeks, or about £2,337 a year.

Example 2: A family with three children gets £27.05 + £17.90 + £17.90 = £62.85 a week, or about £3,268 a year.

Who it is for

You can usually get Child Benefit if you live in the UK and are responsible for a child who is:

under 16, or
under 20 and in approved education or training

Approved education includes A levels, T levels, GCSEs, Scottish Highers, NVQs up to level 3 and home education. University degrees, HNCs and HNDs do not count. You must tell HMRC if your child is staying on, or payments stop on 31 August after they turn 16.

Only one person can get Child Benefit for each child. Foster carers can claim only if the council is not paying for the child's keep.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge

If you or your partner have "adjusted net income" over £60,000, you may have to pay a tax charge. It is 1% of the Child Benefit for every £200 of income over £60,000. Over £80,000, the charge is the full amount.

Example: your income is £70,000 and you get £2,337.40 a year for two children. You are £10,000 over the limit, so the charge is 50%, which is £1,168.70.

You can pay the charge through your tax code (PAYE) or Self Assessment. Or you can choose not to receive payments. You should still claim, so you keep the National Insurance credits.

How to claim

You can claim 48 hours after registering the birth, or once a child comes to live with you. Claim online through HMRC, or by post or phone if you cannot go online. Have your child's birth or adoption certificate, your bank details and your National Insurance number ready. Claims can be backdated up to 3 months, so do not wait.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Child Benefit is the same everywhere in the UK. In Scotland, families getting a benefit such as Universal Credit can also get Scottish Child Payment from Social Security Scotland. It is £28.20 a week for each child under 16, paid every four weeks (£112.80).

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Claim Child Benefit

Common questions

Can I get Child Benefit if I earn over £60,000?

Yes, but you pay back 1% for every £200 of income over £60,000, and all of it if your income is over £80,000. You can choose not to be paid and still claim for the National Insurance credits.

How far back can Child Benefit be paid?

Your claim can be backdated for up to 3 months from the date you make it.

Does Child Benefit stop at 16?

It can carry on until 20 if your child stays in approved education or training, such as A levels, T levels or Scottish Highers.

Official sources

1.Child Benefit: how it workswww.gov.uk/child-benefit
2.Child Benefit: what you'll getwww.gov.uk/child-benefit/what-youll-get
3.Child Benefit: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/child-benefit/eligibility
4.High Income Child Benefit Chargewww.gov.uk/child-benefit-tax-charge
5.Child Benefit: make a claimwww.gov.uk/child-benefit/how-to-claim
6.Child Benefit when your child turns 16www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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