HMRC warns thousands of UK households will have 'payments stopped' next week

HMRC has warned thousands of households could see benefit payments stopped as a deadline to act looms. Child Benefit can continue to be paid for children who are studying full time in non-advanced education.

This includes A levels or Scottish Highers as well as International Baccalaureate, Home education, T levels and NVQs, up to level 3. If a child changes their mind about further education or training, parents can simply inform HMRC online or via the HMRC app and payments will be adjusted accordingly.

Parents can check the status of their claims at any time by viewing their proof of entitlement in the app or online. Parents will need a Government Gateway user ID and password to use HMRC’s online services. If they do not have one already, they can register on GOV.UK and will just need their National Insurance number or postcode, and 2 forms of ID.

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Victoria Benson, CEO of Gingerbread, the charity for single parent families, said: "Child Benefit is valuable to families and particularly single parent families, who are forced to make ends meet on a single income. It’s really important, with the 31 August deadline fast approaching, that parents whose children are going into further education and training extend their claim as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this crucial financial help."

Hundreds of thousands of teenagers will decide on their future this week as they receive their GCSE results on Thursday (22 August 2024). For parents of 16-19 year-olds who haven’t yet extended their claim, Child Benefit payments will stop after 31 August.

If their child is going to continue in approved education or training, parents can continue receiving Child Benefit and HMRC is urging them to extend their claim now. The alert has been issued today (Tuesday August 20) ahead of GCSE Results.