Child Benefit payments can now be made 'within days, not weeks'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
New parents can go online to claim Child Benefit payments worth over £1200 a year.
The universal grant payment was launched 47 years ago, helping millions of families with the cost of raising their children.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) says previously families had to fill out a paper form and could wait up to 16 weeks for their first payment. However, the new claims process at gov.uk should take around 10 minutes to complete, with payments made “in as little as three days”.
Child Benefit is worth £24 a week – or £1248 a year – for the oldest, or only child. The rate for each additional child is £15.90 a week – or almost £827 a year. Claims can be backdated for up to 12 weeks and families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible so they don’t miss out.
Nigel Huddleston, financial secretary to the treasury, said: “Family time is precious, especially when you have a newborn baby, so it’s great news that HMRC is enabling parents to save time on claiming their Child Benefit online so they can focus on what truly matters.”
Suzanne Newton, HMRC’s interim director general for transformation, said: “We know how much parents and guardians rely on Child Benefit to help with essential costs. We’ve made it far easier and quicker for families to claim this crucial help by making it digital.
“Parents and guardians can apply online when it suits them and be paid within days, not weeks.”
Parents or guardians can get Child Benefit if they are responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. There is no limit on the number of children parents can claim for.
Claiming Child Benefit means that the parent will receive National Insurance credits which count towards their State Pension. It also means their child will automatically receive a National Insurance number when they turn 16, which they will need for key milestones including getting their first job, taking a driving test and applying for university finance.
