What is child benefit and can I claim it?

With the cost of raising children in the UK hitting families harder than ever, child benefit can be a lifeline to help provide support with the rising prices of childcare, food and clothing.

With the majority of people who care for a child full time in the UK eligible for child benefit, it’s worth looking into whether you could receive the benefit, how much money you could receive for each child, and how you can apply.

Here’s what you need to know about child benefit, including whether you’re eligible to claim it, and how much you could receive.

What is child benefit?

Child benefit is an allowance paid to the parent or guardian of children living in the UK to go towards looking after them.

Everyone, no matter their income, is entitled to receive child benefit, though if you or your partner earn over £60,000 you may have to pay back some or all of the benefit in taxes, or opt out of the payment altogether. 

Am I eligible for child benefit?

According to the government’s website, a person qualifies for child benefit if they are responsible for a child under 16 and they live in the UK. You can also still normally qualify for child benefit if the child is under 20 and they are in education or training.

Those who adopt a child can also claim child benefit as soon as the child comes to live with them, and those who foster children can also receive child benefit as long as the local council is not paying anything towards their accommodation or maintenance.

Two people cannot get child benefit for the same child, so if the child is being looked after by two parents, only one will receive the benefit.

Your child benefit could stop once your child starts work, an apprenticeship, or also starts receiving benefits like universal credit.

Read more:

• This is the harsh reality of the two-child benefit cap for families: ‘It’s like wearing a scarlet letter’
• Everything you need to know about Labour’s child poverty strategy
• How many children would be lifted out of poverty if the two-child limit was scrapped where you live?

How much will I get?

Child benefit is usually paid every four weeks, at a rate of £26.05 a week for your first child, and £17.25 per child for younger children.

There is no limit to how many children a person can claim child benefit for, but the child must live in the UK and only one parent or guardian can receive the payment. 

For those who earn over £60,000, however, the process is a little different. Those earning over the threshold can still receive child benefits, but must also pay a charge from their earnings. For incomes between £60,000 and £80,000, 1% of every £200 above the threshold will be charged. For those earning above £80,000, the charge will equal the amount of child benefit – families can also opt out of the payments if they wish.

Is child benefit affected by the two-child cap?

Child benefit is different to the type of benefits impacted by the two-child limit.

The two-child benefit cap does not apply to child benefit, only to the child portion of universal credit. With child benefit, you can claim for your third child and any subsequent children, and there is no limit on the number of children for whom you can claim child benefit.

The two-child limit on benefits, in comparison, means that families claiming universal credit or child tax credit do not receive additional amounts for their third child or subsequent children born after 5 April 2017.

Figures released by the DWP in April 2025 found that around 470,000 families across the UK are impacted by the two-child benefit cap. The policy means families with more than two children miss out on around £3,500 in benefits a year per child.

How can I claim child benefit?

As soon as you have registered the birth of your child, you can claim child benefit. If you’re adopting a child, you can apply for payments as soon as they come to live with you, you don’t have to wait until the adoption process is complete.

You can make a claim online, or fill in the Child Benefit claim form CH2 and send it by post to the Child Benefit Office.

The government website says that it can take up to 16 weeks for claims to be processed, but that payments will be updated for up to three months.

If you need any help with your claim, you can call the Child Benefit helpline on 0300 200 3100. The helpline is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. 

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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