Child Benefit boost for millions as parents in line for £1,406 a year windfall - are you eligible?

Patrick O'Donnell
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:29:23 +0000

Child Benefit payments are set to rise from next week, providing families with increased financial support from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for raising children.

Parents claiming for their eldest or only child will receive £27.05 weekly, equivalent to £1,406.60 annually. For each subsequent child, the rate will be £17.90 per week, totalling £930.80 over the year.

These figures represent yearly increases of £52 for the first child and £33.80 for additional children. There is no cap on the number of children parents can claim under the scheme.

HMRC is encouraging eligible families who have not yet applied to submit their claims promptly through the official app or online service.

More than 6.9 million families across the UK currently receive Child Benefit payments, yet a significant proportion of new parents are failing to claim promptly.

HMRC data reveals that just 72 per cent of families apply for the benefit during their baby's first year of life.

Analysts note this delay can prove costly, as claims can only be backdated by a maximum of three months from when HMRC receives the application.

The limited backdating window means thousands of families are losing out on money they are entitled to receive. The tax authority is urging parents to submit their applications as soon as possible after their child is born.

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Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's chief customer officer, said: "Looking after a child can be expensive, especially a newborn baby. It takes a few minutes to claim Child Benefit via the app, and doing so as soon as you can after your baby is born will ensure you don't miss out on vital financial support."

The digital application process has become the dominant method for claiming, with nearly 85 per cent of applications now submitted through the HMRC app or online service.

Since the digital platform launched, over 1.5 million families have used these channels to secure their entitlement. More than 928,000 parents have accessed the app since April 2025 to manage their accounts.

Parents or their partners earning more than £60,000 annually may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

Those affected can now pay this charge through their PAYE tax code using HMRC's digital service, avoiding the need to complete a Self Assessment return if they have no other reason to file one.

Registration is available through the HMRC app or the gov.uk website

Anna Sharkey from the Money and Pensions Service, said: "Use MoneyHelper’s free benefits calculator if you think you, or someone you know, might be eligible for Child Benefit. The calculator will show you all the benefits you’re eligible for.

"Other MoneyHelper tools for new parents include the Baby Cost Calculator to help you budget when having a baby, and the Baby Money Timeline which gives you key dates to help you plan your finances."