Families Urged To Claim up To £897 In Backdated Child Benefit

Introduction

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has issued an updated alert advising families across the United Kingdom that they may be eligible to claim up to £897 in backdated Child Benefit payments per additional child.

The reminder, aimed at households earning less than £80,000 a year, highlights the possibility of securing payments for up to three months prior to the date of a new claim.

With the ongoing cost of living pressures, HMRC has emphasised the importance of prompt action to ensure eligible families do not miss out on available support.

HMRC Issues Child Benefit Reminder

In its latest communication, HMRC clarified that parents and guardians can claim Child Benefit for every child for whom they are responsible. The benefit can be backdated by up to three months from the application date.

An HMRC spokesperson stated, 'You can claim Child Benefit for every child you're responsible for, regardless of how many children you have.' The department further noted that backdating is limited to three months and recovering payments from before this period is not permitted.

HMRC encourages families to use its dedicated mobile app for a faster and more straightforward claims process.

Who Is Eligible for Child Benefit

Child Benefit is a government programme supporting families with the expenses of raising children. Eligibility usually covers anyone responsible for a child under 16 years old, or under 20 if the child remains in approved education or training.

While there is no restriction on the number of children covered by claims, only one parent or legal guardian may claim Child Benefit per child at any time. The criteria are designed to ensure fair support to families whose household income is below key thresholds.

Payment Rates and Backdating Explained

Currently, the weekly Child Benefit rate stands at £26.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.25 for each additional child. This equates to an annual payment of £1,354.60 for one child and £897 for each subsequent child.

Backdating allows claimants to recover up to three months of payments prior to submitting their claim. This policy is in place to support families who may have been unaware of their eligibility or faced delays in submitting their application.

Application Process and Deadlines

Parents and carers are advised to begin the claim process as soon as possible to avoid losing entitlement to payments. The HMRC app offers a secure and convenient way to submit new applications and manage ongoing claims.

For those already receiving Child Benefit for their first child, the system allows for online claims to add new children to existing accounts. It is important to note that only the past three months can be reclaimed.

Any periods before this cut-off are not included in the backdating policy, even if eligibility criteria were met.

Impact of Benefit Cap and High Income Charge

Child Benefit payments are included within the calculation for the wider benefit cap, which places limits on the total income a household can receive from state benefits.

While Child Benefit is not reduced by the cap, other benefits may be affected if the cap is breached. Additionally, families where either parent earns over £50,000 per year may be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

This measure reduces, or in some cases eliminates, the net benefit received, by reclaiming a portion or all of the payments through the tax system.