How Much Is Child Benefit In 2026 and When Does It Change?

Tax Queen

Tax Expert @ Pie

3 min read

Child Benefit is a regular payment for people responsible for bringing up a child. In the UK, there are two Child Benefit rates: one for the eldest or only child, and a lower rate for each additional child.

For the 2026/27 tax year, Child Benefit is paid at £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week for each additional child.

These rates apply from 6 April 2026 and run through the 2026/27 tax year, unless the government announces further changes.

Child Benefit rates for 2026/27

Child Benefit rate

Eldest or only child

Each additional child

Weekly amount

£27.05

£17.90

Paid every 4 weeks

£108.20

£71.60

Yearly amount

£1,406.60

£930.80

There is no limit on how many children you can claim Child Benefit for, as long as you meet the eligibility rules.

How much Child Benefit will I get in 2026?

Your total payment depends on how many children you claim for.

Number of children

1 child

2 children

3 children

4 children

Weekly amount

£27.05

£44.95

£62.85

£80.75

Paid every 4 weeks

£108.20

£179.80

£251.40

£323.00

Yearly amount

£1,406.60

£2,337.40

£3,268.20

£4,199.00

For each extra child after the first, add £17.90 per week, or £71.60 every four weeks.

When did Child Benefit change in 2026?

The current Child Benefit rates started on 6 April 2026, the first day of the 2026/27 tax year.

This means the 2026/27 rates apply from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027.

Child Benefit rates are normally reviewed each year, so the next set of rates would usually apply from the start of the next tax year.

How often is Child Benefit paid?

Child Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks, normally into a bank or building society account.

Some people can receive Child Benefit weekly, including single parents and people receiving certain benefits such as Universal Credit.

If your household income changes during the year, or if you may be affected by the High Income Child Benefit Charge, Pie can help you keep a clearer view of your tax position.

Who can claim Child Benefit?

You can usually claim Child Benefit if you are responsible for a child and live in the UK.

You normally qualify if the child is:

under 16; or
under 20 and staying in approved education or training.

Only one person can claim Child Benefit for a child. If two people are responsible for the same child, they need to decide who should claim.

This matters because the person who claims may also receive National Insurance credits, which can help protect their State Pension record if they are not working or do not earn enough to pay National Insurance.

Can Child Benefit be backdated?

Yes. Child Benefit can usually be backdated for up to 3 months from the date you make your claim.

That means it is worth claiming as soon as you can after a child is born, adopted, or comes to live with you.

Because Child Benefit can usually only be backdated by up to 3 months, it is worth claiming as soon as you are eligible. You can read more in Pie’s guide to backdated Child Benefit claims.

What happens if you earn over £60,000?

You can still claim Child Benefit if you or your partner earns over £60,000, but you may have to pay some or all of it back through the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

For the current rules:

if you or your partner has adjusted net income over £60,000, some Child Benefit may need to be repaid;
if you or your partner has adjusted net income of £80,000 or more, the full amount may need to be repaid.

The charge is based on individual income, not household income. If both partners earn over the threshold, the person with the higher income is responsible for paying the charge.

Some families still choose to claim Child Benefit even if they opt out of receiving payments, because claiming can help protect National Insurance credits and ensure a child receives their National Insurance number automatically before they turn 16.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge can apply if you or your partner has adjusted net income over £60,000. The charge gradually increases as income rises and can mean the full amount of Child Benefit has to be repaid once income reaches £80,000 or more.

For a fuller explanation, read Pie’s guide to the Child Benefit tax charge.

It is also important to understand adjusted net income, because this is the figure HMRC uses when working out whether the charge applies.

Some higher earners may also need to file a tax return even if their income is taxed through PAYE. Pie explains more in its guide on whether high earners need to file a Self Assessment return.

What is Guardian’s Allowance in 2026?

Guardian’s Allowance is separate from Child Benefit. It is for people bringing up a child whose parents have died, although in some cases it may be available where there is one surviving parent.

For 2026/27, Guardian’s Allowance is £22.95 per week. It is paid on top of Child Benefit and is tax-free.

That works out as:

Guardian’s Allowance

Weekly

Every 4 weeks

Yearly

Amount

£22.95

£91.80

£1,193.40

What other childcare support is available?

Child Benefit is not the only support available to families. Working parents may also be able to use Tax-Free Childcare to help with approved childcare costs, including nurseries, childminders, after-school clubs and holiday schemes.

You can learn more in Pie’s guide to Tax-Free Childcare support.

Managing Child Benefit, tax and Self Assessment

For many families, Child Benefit is straightforward. It can become more complicated if your income is close to the High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold, if your earnings change during the year, or if you also need to complete a Self Assessment tax return.

Pie is designed to make personal tax easier to manage, especially if you have more than one income source, claim tax reliefs, or want a clearer picture of what you may owe.

You can learn more about why people use Pie, see how Pie works, or download the Pie app to get started.

Quick answers

How much is Child Benefit in 2026?

Child Benefit is £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week for each additional child.

When did the 2026 Child Benefit rates start?

The current rates started on 6 April 2026.

How much is Child Benefit every 4 weeks?

For one child, it is £108.20 every 4 weeks. Each additional child adds £71.60 every 4 weeks.

How much is Child Benefit per year?

For one child, Child Benefit is £1,406.60 per year. Each additional child adds £930.80 per year.

Is Child Benefit paid monthly?

Child Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks, not calendar monthly. Some people can receive it weekly.

Do high earners get Child Benefit?

High earners can claim, but if either partner earns over £60,000, the High Income Child Benefit Charge may apply. At £80,000 or more, the full amount may need to be repaid.

Final summary

For the 2026/27 tax year, Child Benefit is £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week for each additional child. The current rates started on 6 April 2026.

Most families receive Child Benefit every 4 weeks, meaning one child is worth £108.20 per payment, while each additional child adds £71.60.

If you are responsible for a child, it is worth checking whether you can claim even if you or your partner earns over the High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold because Child Benefit can also help protect National Insurance credits.