Hundreds of households may receive compensation from HMRC due to a significant mistake related to Child Benefit. It is believed that approximately 500 families were deprived of Child Benefit payments they were entitled to. If you were a parent of a child aged between 16 and 19 who pursued education or training outside traditional school settings between April 2014 and August 2025, you might be eligible for a refund.
The rectification process is anticipated to cost around £1 million, with potential reimbursements of up to £2,600 per family. HMRC aims to finalize all payments by October 2026. Amendments to Child Benefit regulations, effective from September 2025, will address the error by eliminating the requirement that education outside a school or college must have commenced before the individual turned 16.
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“Full time” education can also encompass less than 12 hours per week if health or disability constraints limit study hours. An HMRC representative mentioned that out of approximately seven million families receiving child benefit last year, only a small fraction, around 500 over a decade, may not have received their entitled benefits. Efforts are underway to assist these families in claiming their dues soon.
Child Benefit amounts to £26.05 weekly for the first child and £17.25 for each subsequent child. Eligibility criteria include responsibility for a child under 16 or under 20 engaged in approved education or training. Notify HMRC if your child continues education past age 16, as Child Benefit ceases automatically after the child’s 16th birthday. Inform HMRC if your child discontinues approved education or training prematurely.
Child Benefit is claimed by over seven million families, disbursed every four weeks by HMRC. To qualify, your child usually resides with you or you contribute an equivalent amount towards their care. High-income earners may be required to repay a portion of their Child Benefit if earning over £60,000, with a 1% repayment rate for every £200 exceeding this threshold.
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