Child Benefit payments will increase for millions of families from next month.  HMRC has confirmed that families with one child will now receive the new amount of £26.05 per week, up from £25.60 each week, from April 2025.

Families will also receive £17.25 per week (up from £16.95) for each additional child they have after that. Unlike some other benefits. there is no limit to how many children families can claim for.

It's estimated that around 7 million families claim Child Benefit in the UK, for around 13 million children, although figures change slightly each year, so the exact figures may change for 2025. 

Families with ongoing claims do not need to contact HMRC, as the increased benefit payment will continue to be paid directly into their bank accounts. Anyone who needs to update their personal details, such as a change of bank account or address, can do so online at GOV.UK.

Parents of newborns can also backdate their claims by up to three months.

You get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:

  • under 16
  • or under 20, if they stay in approved education or training

If you or your partner earn over the Child Benefit threshold

If either you or your partner’s income (after deductions) is over the threshold, you may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

An individual income is over the threshold if it’s:

  • over £60,000 for the tax year 2024 to 2025
  • over £50,000 for tax years up to and including the tax year 2023 to 2024

This income is before any personal allowances and Gift Aid, but includes interest from savings and dividends.

Work out if your adjusted net income is over the threshold using the Child Benefit tax calculator. If it is, the calculator will also tell you how much charge you’ll have to pay.

If both you and your partner have an individual income that’s over the threshold, then whoever has the higher adjusted net income is responsible for paying the charge.

If either you or your partner has an individual income of £80,000 or more above the threshold, you’ll be charged the same amount as you make through Child Benefit payments. You’ll end up with no extra money from Child Benefit, but you can still get the other advantages provided by Child Benefit, like National Insurance credits.

You’ll also need to fill in a Self Assessment tax return each tax year to pay the charge.

Child Benefit and National Insurance Credits

You’ll get National Insurance credits automatically if you claim Child Benefit and your child is under 12.

These credits count towards your State Pension, so you do not have gaps in your National Insurance record while you're raising a child if either:

  • you’re not working
  • you do not earn enough to pay National Insurance contributions

If you do not need the National Insurance credits, your family may be eligible to get the support instead. Either:

  • your husband, wife or partner can apply to transfer the credits
  • a different family member who provides care for your child can apply for Specified Adult Childcare credits

Only one person can get Child Benefit for each child.