Child Benefit is a tax-free payment available to anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if in approved education or training). The rates increased again in April 2026, and the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) threshold has been £60,000 since April 2024, which means many more families now keep the benefit in full. Here's everything you need to know about claiming in 2026.
Child Benefit Rates 2026/27
The child benefit rates for 2026/27 (from 6 April 2026) are: £27.05 per week for your eldest or only child, and £17.90 per week for each additional child. Over a full year, this is £1,406.60 for your first child and £930.80 for each additional child. For a family with two children, that's over £2,300/year in child benefit payments.
- First or only child: £27.05/week (£1,406.60/year)
- Each additional child: £17.90/week (£930.80/year)
- Family with 2 children: £2,337.40/year
- Family with 3 children: £3,268.20/year
- Paid every 4 weeks, directly into your bank account
Who Can Claim Child Benefit?
You can claim child benefit if you're responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they're in approved education or training (A-levels, BTECs, etc. — not higher education). 'Responsible for' means the child lives with you, or you're contributing to the cost of looking after them. Only one person can claim child benefit per child — usually the main carer. You don't need to be the child's biological parent to claim.
- Child must be under 16 (or under 20 in approved education)
- You must be responsible for the child (lives with you or you contribute to costs)
- Only one person can claim per child
- You must live in the UK
- Claim at gov.uk/child-benefit or by filling in form CH2
The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC)
If you or your partner has an adjusted net income over £60,000, you'll need to pay back some or all of your child benefit through the High Income Child Benefit Charge. For every £200 of income above £60,000, you repay 1% of your child benefit. By £80,000, you repay 100% of the benefit received. Income is assessed individually (not jointly) — so couples where both earn £55,000 keep full benefit, but a family where one earns £75,000 faces partial clawback.
- Below £60,000: keep 100% of child benefit
- £60,000–£80,000: gradual clawback (1% per £200 above £60,000)
- £80,000+: repay 100% (full clawback)
- Assessed individually — couples where both earn under £60,000 are unaffected
- You can reduce adjusted net income by increasing pension contributions
Why You Should Always Claim — Even if You Earn Over the Limit
Even if you'll repay it all through the HICBC, you should still claim child benefit. The main reason: National Insurance credits. Each year you claim child benefit for a child under 12, the claimant gets National Insurance credits that count towards the State Pension, even if they've opted out of the payments because of the HICBC. If you don't claim, you could have gaps in your NI record that reduce your State Pension entitlement. You can opt out of receiving payments while still claiming, which triggers the NI credits without the benefit payments.
- Claiming while opting out of payment: protects NI record for State Pension
- Particularly important if one parent is not working or working part-time
- One missing NI year costs about £358 a year in new State Pension income for life (2026/27 rates)
- You can opt back in to receive payments if income drops below £60,000
How do I reduce the High Income Child Benefit Charge?
Increase pension contributions to reduce your adjusted net income below £60,000. For example, if you earn £65,000 but contribute £5,000 to a pension, your adjusted net income drops to £60,000 and you pay no HICBC.
Can I backdate a child benefit claim?
Yes. Claims can be backdated up to 3 months from the date you apply. Always claim as soon as possible.
- child benefit
- hicbc
- uk benefits
- family finance