Official data indicates that nearly one-third of eligible parents fail to claim child benefit before their child's first birthday, potentially losing hundreds of pounds.
Key facts
- •Child benefit is currently £27.05 per week for the first child and £17.90 for each subsequent child.
- •Claims can only be backdated for a maximum of three months from the date HMRC receives the application.
- •Over 6.8 million parents received child benefit in the year ending August 2025.
- •The High Income Child Benefit Charge reduces payments for earners above £60,000 and eliminates them at £80,000.
- •Claiming child benefit provides the claimant with National Insurance credits toward their state pension.
Thousands of parents in the UK may be missing out on child benefit payments of £27.05 per week for their first child. According to HMRC data, nearly one-third of eligible families do not file a claim before their child turns one. Because payments can only be backdated by three months, many families risk losing significant financial support during the early stages of parenthood.
By the numbers
Claiming and Eligibility
Child benefit is paid every four weeks to one parent, who also receives National Insurance credits toward their state pension. Claims can be submitted 48 hours after a baby's birth is registered. In the year leading up to August 2025, over 6.8 million parents received the benefit, though only 69% of eligible parents claimed it before their child's first birthday. HMRC notes that some parents may opt out due to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. Payments begin to decrease for households where one parent earns £60,000 annually and cease entirely once a parent's income reaches £80,000.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Business.
