HMRC urges people to come forward and be handed a free £2,212 payment
HMRC is urging people to come forward for a free £1,331 payment. With around 2,000 babies born on 26 September each year, more than any other day, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging parents to claim their Child Benefit entitlement.
Claiming online means families could receive their first payment within just a week of their baby’s birth. Child Benefit is worth up to £1,331 a year for the first child and £881 for each additional child, HMRC has explained to parents.
September 26 was the most popular day to be born over the last two decades, which falls 39 weeks and two days after Christmas day. 8 of the top 10 dates of birth were towards the end of September – with the other 2 being early October.
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Part of the reason for this increase in births could be due to couples planning to have children at the start of the school year. The Office for National Statistics explains: "If births were evenly distributed throughout the year we would expect on average 1,800 births each day. But the average number of births on September 26 was around 2,000."
Birth data was taken from the Census 2021 page ‘How popular is your birthday?’ The Child Benefit award notice can be used to prove you qualify for Child Benefit and can be downloaded and printed from the HMRC app or from GOV.UK.
Parents and carers may need proof of entitlement to access other benefits and services. The £50,000 High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold rose to £60,000 on 6 April 2024, the HMRC guide online is reminding people.
If a family splits up, you get £25.60 a week for the eldest child. If you have 2 children and one lives with you and the other lives with someone else (for example, your ex-partner), you’ll each get £25.60 a week. If you both claim for the same child, only one of you will get Child Benefit for them.
If you’re entitled to Child Benefit for any other children, you’ll get £16.95 for each child.