Child benefit goes digital for more parents: can you make a claim?

In a world of smartphones, AI chatbots and TV streaming, one process has remained frustratingly offline: claiming child benefit. Now that's finally changed.

The benefit was introduced in 1977, but HMRC only started accepting fully digital claims in May last year for families with children under six months old. This week, the online system has been extended for use by all eligible parents.

It means payments could arrive in as little as three days, compared to up to 16 weeks with a paper form.

Here, Which? explains who is entitled to claim child benefit, how the online process works, and shares the other support on offer for families. 

Am I eligible for child benefit?

Anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or 20 and in an approved form of education or training), is eligible for child benefit. 

You might be their parent, but you don't have to be. 

You're usually considered as being responsible for a child if you live with them or you're paying at least the same amount as child benefit (or the equivalent in kind) towards looking after them. This can be for food, clothes, pocket money or any other expenses related to caring for them. 

How do you apply for child benefit online?

To claim child benefit online, you need to go to the child benefit website.

You can make your claim as soon as 48 hours after you've registered your child's birth. It can be backdated for up to three months. 

Only one parent or guardian can claim child benefit for a child, so if you have a partner, you need to decide which of you will make the claim. 

If you're applying for the first time, you'll need to share your details, your child's details, your relationship status and your income. 

You'll also need the following documents to hand for the application:

• your child's birth or adoption certificate
• your bank or building society details
• your National Insurance number
• your partner's National Insurance number (if you have one)

HMRC says payments could arrive in as little as three days if your application is successful. Previously, with the paper form, it took up to 16 weeks to receive your first instalment.

The online form will exist alongside the original paper process.

• Find out more: child benefit explained

How much child benefit could I receive?

Unlike some benefits, child benefit isn't means-tested. This means you'll receive a set amount based on the number of children you have, regardless of how much you earn. 

In the current tax year (April 2023-24), you'll receive £24 a week for your first or only child, then a further £15.90 for any additional children, with no upper limit. 

Here's what that looks like in practice:

HMRC says claims can be backdated by up to 12 weeks.

• Find out more: use our child benefit calculator to find out how much you could receive

Watch out for the 'high-income child benefit charge'

While child benefit isn't means-tested, if you or your partner earns more than £50,000, you'll have to pay the 'high-income child benefit charge' (HICBC). 

This is 1% of the child benefit you receive for every £100 of income between £50,000 and £60,000. If you earn more than £60,000, you have to pay back the entire payment,  meaning it's probably not worth claiming.

Some experts have criticised the HICBC charge rule as unfair, as it measures individuals' income, not household income. This means if one parent earns £60,000 while the other is unemployed, the family won't be able to claim child benefit. Meanwhile, a family with two parents each earning £50,000 would still be able to claim. 

The £50,000 earnings threshold also hasn't changed since January 2013, when it was brought in – meaning more households are exceeding the limit as wages rise, and are choosing to opt out.

The total number of families opting out of child benefit payments has increased each year since 2013. In August 2022, 683,000 families chose to opt out of payments, an increase of 5% since August 2021.

If your income exceeds the limit, you can choose to opt out but you may still want to fill out the child benefit form to ensure you get National Insurance credits, which count towards your state pension.

You can continue to claim child benefit if you exceed the income threshold, but you'll need to pay the charge at the end of the year via a self-assessment tax return.

• Find out more: National Insurance and child benefit

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What other support can I get for my children?

As well as child benefit (or instead of child benefit, if you don't qualify) there are other ways you can top up your income to help with the cost of raising a child.

Child tax credit or Universal Credit 'child element'

Child tax credit is a means-tested benefit you can claim if you have one or more children. 

You can claim child tax credit on its own, or alongside child benefit. You don't have to be in work to claim it. 

You'll only be eligible if you already receive working tax credit. Otherwise, you'll have to claim Universal Credit and the additional 'child element' instead.

Tax-free childcare

You can get government support for childcare payments. These payments cover 25% of your spending on childcare, up to a maximum of £2,000 a year. 

The government will pay the money directly to the approved childcare provider you're using. 

15 or 30 hours of free childcare

Depending on your child's age, you might be able to claim 15 to 30 hours of free childcare per week, paid by the government to an approved childcare provider. 

At the moment, three- and four-year-olds are eligible. From April 2024, two-year-olds will be eligible for 15 hours of free childcare per week. Then in September 2024, it will extend to all children aged nine months and over. 

From September 2025, the government plans to make 30 hours of free childcare per week free for all children under school age.

You can already register for free childcare for your two-year-old from April on the government website. 

• Find out more: tax-free childcare and other ways to save on childcare costs