Child Benefit to rise from 7 April for UK families

Millions of families are set to receive increased Child Benefit payments starting next week, with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) urging parents to claim and manage benefits digitally through its secure mobile app.

From 7 April 2025, the payment rate will rise to £26.05 per week (or £1,354.60 a year) for a first or only child, and £17.25 per week (£897 a year) for each additional child.

Child Benefit is typically paid every four weeks directly into a nominated bank account, and there is no limit to how many children can be claimed for.

HMRC is promoting its free mobile app as the fastest and easiest way for families to access their Child Benefit.

A recent upgrade now alerts users when their claim is received, and in some cases, payments are made within just three days.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

“Extra pounds count and Child Benefit can give your household budget a boost. Claiming online or managing your Child Benefit payments via the HMRC app is quick and easy so, if you haven’t already, go to GOV.UK to start your claim today.”

In the past year alone, the HMRC app has been used more than six million times to manage Child Benefit claims.

Over 1.2 million parents have submitted claims digitally since the service launched in May 2023, with more than 87% of new claims now made online.

The app allows parents to:

• Make a new claim

• Update circumstances

• Change personal or bank details

• Add additional children

• View or print proof of entitlement

• Notify HMRC about children continuing in full-time education or training

Parents are advised to claim as soon as their child is born, as backdating is only possible for up to three months.

To make a claim, parents need to create an HMRC online account and have the following:

• The child’s birth or adoption certificate

• Bank details

• National Insurance numbers (for themselves and their partner)

• Passport or travel documents if the child was born outside the UK

A new YouTube video from HMRC guides parents through the digital claiming process.

Families with an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000 are reminded of the High Income Child Benefit Charge, which may reduce the net benefit received. HMRC provides an online tax calculator to help estimate the impact.

In her Spring Statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced an optional new service, launching this summer, to let eligible employed parents pay the charge directly through their PAYE tax code instead of submitting a Self Assessment tax return.

Families who previously opted out of Child Benefit can opt back in via the app or HMRC website. Even if payments are declined due to the charge, National Insurance credits can still be received — these count towards future State Pension eligibility and ensure children receive their NI number at age 16.

Further guidance and updates will be provided directly to affected families when the new PAYE service becomes available on GOV.UK.