Child Benefit

What is Child Benefit?

Child Benefit is a tax free cash benefit paid to people who are bringing up children. Child Benefit is a universal benefit and is NOT means tested; it doesn’t matter how much money you earn or much savings you have to access the benefit.  You can claim child benefit providing you meet basic requirements which are listed below. 

In the 2008/9 tax year, you are entitled to: 

• £18.80 per week for your first eligible child and 
• £12.55 per week for each subsequent child.

Should you claim Child Benefit?

You are entitled to Child Benefit if you are bringing up children who are: 

• Aged under 16 
• Aged under 19 and studying full-time up to A level, Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education (AVCE) or equivalent 
• Aged 16 or 17 years old and have left school recently, and have registered for work or training with the Careers Service or Connexions Service (in Northern Ireland, Training and Employment Agency)

If you are a couple (married or unmarried) the children's mother should claim. Otherwise the natural parent with custody of the children should claim. Similarly, in same sex couples, the natural/adoptive parent should claim.

Those claiming must have a right to enter or reside in the UK and must have lived here for 6 months in the past year. If you have come from another country, you can claim if you:

• are an official refugee (those seeking asylum are not entitled to Child Benefit) 
• have been granted 'exceptional leave' to stay by the government
• are a member of a European Union country or a country in the European Economic Zone (EEA) 
• lawfully work in the UK and are a national of Algeria, Morocco, Slovenia or Tunisia 
• are covered by international agreements that the UK has with other countries.

If you qualify for Child Benefit you may qualify for help to protect your Basic State Pension. As only one person can qualify per family, you need to decide who should claim.

When do you claim Child Benefit?

You should make a claim as soon as possible after your baby has been born, whether or not you have the birth certificate, or when a child comes and lives with you. It is best to claim Child Benefit before the baby is one month old otherwise you may lose some benefit. Child benefit can only be backdated for up to 3 months.

How is Child Benefit Paid?

Child Benefit can be paid into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account that accepts Direct Payment. 

But if you're registered blind or need your carer to collect the money, you'll be sent a cheque to cash at the Post Office.

Child Benefit is paid every four weeks, but it can be paid weekly if: 

• you are a single parent
• you or your partner or civil partner receive Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

Can you Claim Child Benefit Online?

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You can now claim Child Benefit online using an easy step-by-step form. Just go to the Child Benefit Online menu, choose ‘I want to start a blank claim form’ and answer the first page of questions. Depending on your answers, you will then be directed to sections of the form that apply to you.

You do not have to complete the form in one sitting; if you are part of the way through the form and you want to finish it at a later time, simply note down your transaction number. When you return to the form, you will need to input this transaction number and your surname to retrieve your details.

You can also report changes online. Just go to the Child Benefit Online menu and choose ‘I want to fill in a new Change of Circumstances form’. You can get more help with the Child Benefit e-service by clicking on Child Benefit e-service help information.

How do I contact the Child Benefit Office?

Contact details for the Child Benefit Office are as follow:

Child Benefit Office
PO Box 1
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE88 1AA 

Helpline
0845 302 1444 

Website
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/contactus.htm

Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday 8.00 am to 8.00 pm  

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