TL;DR
HMRC is urging new parents to claim Child Benefit for their newborn as soon as possible after birth. Child Benefit can be backdated by up to three months but claims cannot be backdated further. Parents earning over £60,000 should still claim and then pay back through the High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge.
Last reviewed: June 2026 | Sources: HMRC, GOV.UK
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Benefits Child Benefit: Key Facts for New Parents Weekly rate (eldest): £26.05 (2024/25)Weekly rate (other children): £17.25Backdating limit: 3 monthsHigh income threshold: £60,000 adjusted net incomeClaim via: HMRC app or GOV.UK |
Why HMRC is issuing this reminder
HMRC has issued a reminder to new parents to claim Child Benefit as soon as possible after their baby is born. The reminder follows analysis showing that a significant number of families delay claiming or do not claim at all, resulting in lost entitlement that cannot be fully recovered. Child Benefit can only be backdated by three months from the date of the claim, meaning delays directly reduce the total amount received.
How much Child Benefit pays
Child Benefit is paid at £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child and £17.25 per week for each additional child in the 2024/25 tax year. It is paid every four weeks directly into a bank account. For a family with one child, claiming from birth rather than at three months results in approximately £338 in additional benefit over that period that cannot be recovered if the claim is made late.
How to claim
Claims can be made through the HMRC app or through GOV.UK. The claim requires the child's birth certificate or proof of adoption, the National Insurance number of both parents or carers where applicable, and bank account details for payment. HMRC encourages parents to have the birth certificate ready to submit the claim as early as possible.
Claims can be submitted before the child is registered, using a hospital birth confirmation letter in some cases, but HMRC recommends submitting the full claim with the birth certificate as soon as it is available.
The High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge
Parents with adjusted net income over £60,000 are subject to the High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge, introduced at a lower threshold and revised in April 2024. Where one parent or carer has adjusted net income between £60,000 and £80,000, they repay a proportion of the Child Benefit received through self-assessment. Where adjusted net income exceeds £80,000, the full Child Benefit amount is repaid through tax.
HMRC advises that even parents subject to the full charge should still claim Child Benefit. Claiming and paying back through the tax charge preserves the National Insurance credits that Child Benefit entitlement provides, which count towards the state pension for parents who are not working or earning below the NI threshold. Opting out of Child Benefit to avoid the charge also opts out of these NI credits, which can affect state pension entitlement.
National Insurance credits
For parents not working or earning below the lower earnings limit for NI contributions, Child Benefit claim triggers automatic National Insurance credits. These credits count towards the 35 qualifying years needed for the full new state pension. A parent who does not claim Child Benefit does not receive these credits, which can reduce their eventual state pension by a material amount over a career.
What to do if you missed claiming at birth
Claims can be backdated by up to three months. If more than three months have passed since the birth, the claim will start from three months before the date of the claim and entitlement for the period before that is permanently lost. HMRC does not have discretion to backdate beyond three months regardless of the circumstances of the delay.
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Disclaimer This article is for information only. Child Benefit rates and thresholds are set annually by HMRC. Verify current rates and your eligibility at GOV.UK. Kael Tripton Ltd is not regulated by the FCA. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim Child Benefit before registering the birth?
In some cases HMRC accepts a hospital birth confirmation letter to begin the claim before registration. However, the claim will need to be completed with the birth certificate. Contact HMRC directly to ask about early claim options in your circumstances.
Do I need to be working to claim Child Benefit?
No. Child Benefit is not means-tested and is not linked to employment. It is available to anyone responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 in approved education or training, regardless of employment status or income level (though high earners pay some or all back through the tax charge).
What is the High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge threshold?
From April 2024, the charge applies where adjusted net income exceeds £60,000. Between £60,000 and £80,000, one percent of Child Benefit is repaid for every £200 of income above £60,000. Above £80,000, the full Child Benefit amount is effectively repaid through the tax charge.
How are National Insurance credits linked to Child Benefit?
Claiming Child Benefit for a child under 12 automatically provides Class 3 NI credits to the claiming parent or carer if they are not working or earning below the NI lower earnings limit. These credits count towards state pension qualifying years. Parents who opt out of Child Benefit to avoid the high income charge lose these credits and should consider whether the NI credit value outweighs the charge cost.
Can both parents claim Child Benefit for the same child?
No. Only one person can claim Child Benefit per child. Where parents separate, the parent with whom the child primarily lives is entitled to claim. If there is a dispute, HMRC adjudicates based on where the child lives.
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Sources HMRC: Child Benefit |
