Child Benefit is a payment made to people responsible for raising a child under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training).
Current rates (2026/27)
- £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child
- £17.90 per week for additional children
The High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge
If you or your partner earn over £60,000 per year, you must repay some or all of the benefit through a tax charge. Above £80,000, the full amount is repaid. You can opt not to receive the payments to avoid the charge — but you should still register to protect your NI record.
How to claim
Claim at gov.uk/child-benefit. Claim as soon as the child is born or comes to live with you — payments are not backdated beyond 3 months.
This is general information. Rates and thresholds change — check gov.uk for current figures.
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