How to Apply for Child Benefit in the UK
Child Benefit pays £27.05 a week for your eldest child. It pays £17.90 for each additional child (2026/27 rates). Apply through your HMRCHM Revenue & Customs — The UK tax authority. It collects income tax, issues National Insurance numbers, and runs Self Assessment.Click for official info ↗ online account or use form CH2 to apply. Claim even if the high income charge applies to you. Claiming protects your State Pension record. It also means your child gets an NI numberNational Insurance number — Your UK tax and social security number. You need it to work, pay tax, and claim benefits.Click for official info ↗ automatically at 16.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free
- Total time:
- As little as 3 days (online) to 16 weeks (paper claim)
- Steps:
- 5 steps
- Where to apply:
- gov.uk
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due April 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UK sources(October 2026).
0 of 5 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Check if you can claim
You can claim if you are responsible for a child under 16 years old. You can also claim for a child under 20 if they are in approved education or training. You must live in the UK. There is no limit on the number of children you can claim for. The two-child limit on Universal CreditUC — A monthly UK benefit that replaces six older benefits, for people on low income or out of work. Claimed through your online journal.Click for official info ↗ ended on 6 April 2026. Universal Credit now pays for every child, just like Child Benefit.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 20 min
Apply online or by post
The fastest way is to apply in your HMRC Personal Tax Account or in the HMRC app. Or you can fill in form CH2 and post it with the birth certificate. HMRC will return the certificate. You can backdate a claim by up to 3 months. So apply as soon as your child is born.
Click to mark as done
- Wait 3 days (online) to 16 weeks (paper)
Wait for the decision and first payment
HMRC says online claims can be paid in as little as 3 days. Paper claims on form CH2 can take up to 16 weeks. This is per HMRC and North Lanarkshire Council. Payments go into your bank account every 4 weeks, on a Monday or Tuesday. Single parents and people on certain benefits can get weekly payments.
Click to mark as done
- Follow Up 15 min
Decide how to handle the high income charge
If you or your partner has "adjusted net income" above £60,000, the High Income Child Benefit Charge takes the benefit back. Above £80,000 it takes it all back. You can still claim and pay the charge through Self AssessmentUK Self Assessment tax return — The system for reporting income that is not taxed at source — self-employment, rent, foreign income — to HMRC by 31 January each year.Click for official info ↗. Or you can opt out of the payments. Either way, claiming builds NI credits. It also triggers your child's NI number at 16.
Click to mark as done
- Receive
Keep your details updated
Tell HMRC about changes through your online account. This includes changes to your bank details, your address, or your child's education. If your child stays in education past 16, you will get a letter in their final school year. It asks you to confirm this. Reply to the letter, or the payments will stop in August.
Click to mark as done
Calculator
UK Child Benefit Calculator
Estimate Child Benefit for your children, including the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) when the highest earner is over £60,000.
Annual Child Benefit
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Weekly
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Per 4-week payment
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High Income charge (HICBC)
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Net benefit after charge
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Estimate only. Estimate only. Uses the official rates for the selected tax year. HICBC uses adjusted net income (enter pension/Gift Aid-adjusted figure if applicable). HMRC governs. Source: Child Benefit rates (GOV.UK)
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Not claiming because your income is high. Even above £80,000, claiming is still worth it. Claiming gives National Insurance credits towards your State Pension if you are not working, and it triggers your child's NI number at 16. You can opt out of the payments and keep these protections, and you will not owe the charge.
Waiting too long to apply. You can only backdate a claim by up to 3 months. Apply as soon as your child is born, or you lose the earlier payments for good. The online claim can be paid in as little as 3 days, while a paper claim on form CH2 can take up to 16 weeks.
Both parents trying to claim for the same child. Only one person can get Child Benefit for each child. It is often better for the lower earner to claim, since the income charge affects the higher earner, and a lower earner who does not work also gets NI credits.
Claiming when your visa bars public funds. You can only claim if your immigration status allows you to access public funds. If your visa says "no recourse to public funds", claiming could affect your status. Check your visa conditions first. Irish citizens and people with settled status can usually claim.
Not telling HMRC about changes, or ignoring the education letter. Tell HMRC about changes to your bank details, your address, or your child's education through your online account. If your child stays in education past 16, reply to the letter in their final school year, or the payments will stop in August.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I earn over £80,000. Is there any point claiming?
Yes. If you are not working, claiming gives you National Insurance credits towards your State Pension. HMRC also issues your child an NI number automatically, shortly before their 16th birthday. You can opt out of the payments and keep these protections. You will not owe the charge.
We both work. Who should claim?
Only one person can get Child Benefit for each child. The income charge usually affects the higher earner. So it is often better for the lower earner to claim. If the lower earner does not work, they will also get NI credits.
I am a new immigrant. Can I claim?
You can claim if you live in the UK. Your immigration status must allow you to access public funds. Check your visa conditions. If your visa says "no recourse to public funds", claiming could affect your status. Irish citizens and people with settled status can usually claim.
How much is Child Benefit in 2026/27?
Child Benefit is £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child. It is £17.90 per week for each additional child. For two children, that is £2,337.40 per year. It is paid every four weeks. The calculator shows your amounts per year, per week, and per four weeks.
What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC)?
When the highest earner in the household has adjusted net income over £60,000, a charge takes back 1% of the Child Benefit for every £200 over £60,000. The charge rises up to the full amount at £80,000. The calculator adds the charge when you enter the highest earner's income.
Does the Child Benefit calculator include the High Income charge?
Yes. Enter the highest earner's adjusted net income. The calculator then shows the HICBC and your net benefit after the charge. Leave the income at 0 if it is under £60,000, as no charge applies.
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