People can claim this benefit even if they earn up to £80,000

Parents are being reminded they can still claim a crucial benefit to help with household costs even if they earn up to £80,000. The threshold for claiming Child Benefit was recently raised.

People can now get the support in full if they or their partner earn up to £60,000. Parents earning between £60,000 and £80,000 can also receive the benefit but have the amount cut the higher their salary is.

The threshold was recently raised by the Government following criticism the system was unfair. Experts believe some parents in the £60,000-£80,000 bracket could be put off by having to fill in a self-assessment or by the "stigma" around claiming benefits.

READ MORE: DWP sending 'do not ignore' letters to households as claimants could lose benefits

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But they are reminding couples could be missing out on significant help by not applying for Child Benefit. Eligible parents get £25.60 a week for their first child and £16.95 a week for any children after that.

Amy Knight, personal finance expert at NerdWallet UK, said: "The percentage of eligible children whose households claim child benefit has risen up to 90%, from its lowest ever rate in 2022 of 87%. If you’re eligible, it’s not too late to apply through the Government website.

"While payments can only be backdated three months, they will continue until your child leaves full-time education, turns 19 or begins higher education. Combined with the expansion of childcare funding, child benefit payments can ease the financial pressure on those raising a family in this economy.

"However, the number of families receiving child benefit payments has fallen, as has the number of children supported by the payments. As UK wages grow, more parents face the high-income child benefit charge.

"The threshold for the paying charge has shifted up to £60,000, making it worthwhile for more households to accept this Government help – particularly single parents and sole-earner families who previously missed out. But, for some parents earning between £60,000 and £80,000, the requirement to file a self-assessment is off-putting.

"The stigma surrounding benefits may also deter the so-called squeezed middle from claiming the financial support they’re entitled to.”