HMRC issues 'notice' to 1.4 million people who could be owed £2,212

HMRC has issued "reminders" to millions of parents who need to Child Benefit for their teenagers if they are continuing their education or training after their GCSEs. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is sending more than 1.4 million Child Benefit reconfirmation letters to parents between 24 May and 17 July.

The letters will include a QR code which, when scanned, directs them straight to GOV.UK to update their claim quickly and easily online. Child Benefit is worth up to £1,331 a year for the first or only child, and up to £881 a year for each additional child.

Payments will automatically stop on 31 August on or after the child has turned 16 unless parents renew their claim where their child is continuing in education. If their 16 to 19 year-old intends to continue in approved education or training, parents can use the online service on GOV.UK or the HMRC app so they do not miss out.

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Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said in a statement: "Child Benefit is an important financial support for many families, so make sure you don’t miss out on any payments if your teenager intends to continue approved education or training."

Ms Lloyd went on, saying: "You can quickly and easily extend your claim online or via the HMRC app, just search ‘Child Benefit when your child turns 16’ on GOV.UK." In its notice to mums and dads up and down the nation, HMRC has said parents have until 31 August to take action.

If they don't, their payments will automatically stop. Letting HMRC know digitally that a child is continuing in education is the quickest way to get it sorted, with no need to contact us by phone or post, HMRC has also explained in its letter to recipients and also online.