The child benefit rates for the only or eldest child in a family increased to £25.60 (from £24.00) for the 2024-25 tax year and the weekly rate for all other children to £16.95 (from £15.90).

Effective from 6 April 2024, families where the highest earner has a salary of up to £60,000 a year will not be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). Previously, a person who had an annual income of £50,000 or more would be liable to pay the charge if they or their partner were receiving child benefit.

The HICBC is charged at the rate of 1% of the full child benefit award for each £200 of income between £60,000 and £80,000. For taxpayers with income above £80,000 the amount of the charge will equal the amount of child benefit received. The HICBC therefore either reduces or removes the financial benefit of receiving child benefit. The increase in the HICBC threshold is expected to have a positive impact for around 485,000 families. 

Taxpayers entitled to the child benefit should be aware that HMRC usually stop paying child benefit on the 31 August following a child’s 16th Birthday. Under qualifying circumstances, the child benefit payment can continue until a child reaches their 20th birthday if they stay in approved education or training. A qualifying young person is someone aged 16,17, 18 or 19 in full time non-advanced education or in approved training.

Any parents with children that remain in approved education or training should contact the child benefit office to ensure they continue receiving the child benefit payments to which they are entitled. No child benefit is payable after a young person reaches the age of 20 years.

Child benefit is usually payable for children who come to the UK. However, there are a number of rules which must be met in order to claim. HMRC must be notified without delay if a child receiving child benefit moves permanently abroad.

It is also possible to claim guardian’s allowance if you are bringing up someone else’s child because one or both parents have died. The guardian’s allowances is paid on top of child benefit and increased to £21.75 (from £20.40) per week for 2024-25.