Just realised child benefit has stopped years ago! What can I do to get this paid back?

[METR0NOMY]

Two kids 19 and 16. We used to get child benefit but just realised it hasn’t been paid for ages. I know we don’t get it for the 19 year old but we should still get it for the 16 year old. I can’t even find the last time it was paid on my bank account, it could be years. Why would it have stopped?

Child benefit isn’t means tested. It’s just not payable to those earning more than £60k a year.

And actually not really in England.
The leaving age is still 16 if you look at the "rules" properly.
(sorry to say it again but it drives me nuts that so many people get it wrong)

Do you just ring CB when they turn 16?

I agree. I don’t receive CB but I know many who have only ever saved every penny of it so I think it’s unfair that the OP is getting so many “Well, did you really need it?” comments. Of course I appreciate these people I know don’t reflect the many who absolutely need it every month!

Hope you can get it sorted OP and that things improve.

I had a letter.
I think I just had to scan the QR code on it and it takes you to the bit where you essentially just tick the relevant box.
I think you do have to do it again for each academic year your child stays in school up until the academic year they turn 19 (if they do the extra year) but I am not 100% sure on that.

That's not right either.
Anyone with eligible children/young people can claim, but once you earn over 60K HICBC kicks in. You can choose to opt out of claiming CB at any point.

Same - got this last week for my 16yr old DC. Don’t get it anyway so bit pointless but I suppose circumstances can change.

Thats not true, you are entitled to child benefit if you earn up to 80K (adjusted net income) per year However if you earn between 60K and 80K (adjusted net income) you are not entitled to all of it and have to do a tax return and pay some back. I think you can opt out of payments sot you don't need to do the tax return but I am not sure how that works if you are entitled to keep some.

The majority of people aren’t earning £60k+ though. There is no means testing in the true sense of the word (as in checking your income before agreeing to pay it).

I assume you can also start a claim at any point. I earn way over the limit at the moment so have never claimed it. I’ll be retiring when DS is still only about 9 or 10 and then living off savings/investments until I can draw on my company pension. Can I start a claim then?

@AmIHumanOrAmIAYeti but your comment was not correct, you are still entitled to Child Benefit if earning 60K or more up to 80K, just not 100% of it

Try Google.

Google is actually not that helpful when looking for info about child stuff if you are drawing a pension. All it talks about is people getting free pension credits which is irrelevant to me.

There are loads of obscure restrictions. You can’t claim 20% tax free childcare if you are drawing a pension for example.

@BB3000 gov.uk is probably your best starting point.

Definitely write to HMRC explaining how you missed the fact that it had stopped and hence why you think it should be back-dated to that date (not just three months). If they refuse to back-date it more than three months, you can make a Mandatory Reconsideration Request (MRR) within one month of their decision letter and if they stand by their original decision you can make an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (FTT). See here for more info: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/child-benefit/child-benefit-appeals/challenging-a-child-benefit-decision-mandatory-reconsideration/

You could start a claim right now but opt out of payment if you earn over £80K. Once your salary drops below that you can opt back into getting payments

Or if you really want to be pedantic it is the last Friday in June of the academic year that you turn 16.

So if your 16th birthday is 1st August 2025 your school leaving age is actually 15 as you officially leave on 27th June.

You are however given up until 31st August for child benefit purposes.

You can claim anytime. Just tick the HICBC opt out. Your child will also then receive their National Insurance no when 16.
The QR code is really simple to use.

They send you a form out which you have to fill in and return to them. If you don't receive the form (maybe due to a house move or similar) then you can contact them or log onto gov.uk

@Comefromaway yes indeed.
I know of some 16 year olds who started working on July 1st because there was no longer the requirement to be at school.
Technically anyone with a July or August birthday finishes school at age 15 😂

They have to access education or training until they are 18 but that could be an apprenticeship or a job with training. In which case child benefit isn't paid as the students gets a training allowance.

No longer the case - kids have to be in some for of education/training up to 18 now.

No they don't.
Bangs head that this lie is still being churned out....

Yes, they do. SOME FORM of education/training, which can include apprenticeships. SOME FORM.

Education or training. In England