How to keep your Child Benefit when your teenager finishes school this summer
Key points
- Child Benefit stops automatically on 31 August — extend it now if your teenager is staying in education or approved training.
- Extend in minutes using the HMRC app or GOV.UK — you do not need to wait for a reminder letter to arrive.
- If you also claim Universal Credit, you must tell DWP separately by updating your online journal.
Your Child Benefit stops automatically on 31 August if you do not tell HMRC that your teenager is staying in full-time education or approved training. The deadline is 17 days away — act now to keep the money coming in.
Why your Child Benefit is at risk
Child Benefit is paid for children up to their 16th birthday. After that, it stops on 31 August unless you extend your claim.
This affects you if your teenager:
- is returning to school or college in September for A levels, T levels, GCSEs, or a similar course
- is starting an approved, unpaid training programme
If you do nothing, Child Benefit stops — even if your child is going straight back into education in autumn.
Around 1.5 million reminder letters were sent to families from May 2026. But you do not need to wait for a letter. You can extend today.
Who qualifies for continued payments
Your teenager qualifies if they are in full-time non-advanced education — at least 12 hours of lessons and practical work each week during term time. Qualifying courses include:
- A levels, T levels, and GCSEs
- Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers
- SVQs and NVQs at level 3 or below
Approved training must be unpaid and not part of a job contract. Paid apprenticeships do not qualify and Child Benefit will stop.
Payments can continue until 31 August after your teenager's 19th birthday, as long as they remain in qualifying education or training throughout.
Search for your next property on DSSmove →How to extend before 31 August
Use the HMRC app or sign in at GOV.UK. It only takes a few minutes. If you cannot go online, call HMRC using the phone number on your renewal letter.
Act before 31 August even if your teenager has not yet received exam results or confirmed their September course. You can update HMRC later if plans change.
If you also claim Universal Credit
Child Benefit and Universal Credit are run by different departments. Extending your Child Benefit does not update your Universal Credit automatically.
Log in to your UC online journal and report that your teenager is continuing in qualifying education or training. If you do not, DWP may reduce the child element that is added to your monthly Universal Credit payment.
If you are unsure what to put, contact Citizens Advice — an adviser can help you update both claims correctly at no cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What if my Child Benefit has already stopped because I missed the deadline?
Contact HMRC as soon as possible to see whether your claim can be backdated — a Citizens Advice adviser can help you do this for free.
Does this deadline apply if we live in Scotland or Wales?
Yes — Child Benefit is managed by HMRC and the 31 August rule applies across the whole of the UK, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Official source: https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19