As the festive season approaches, HMRC urges parents to claim Child Benefit for Christmas without delay. With Christmas being a joyful yet financially challenging time for many UK families, this timely reminder from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is crucial. Every year, thousands of parents miss out on essential Child Benefit payments because they either forget to apply or mistakenly believe they are ineligible.
HMRC is specifically encouraging families to act now to receive their payments in time to ease the financial pressures of Christmas and the New Year. Whether it’s covering the cost of presents, winter clothing, heating bills, or school activities, Child Benefit can provide much-needed support when it matters most.
In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know: how to claim Child Benefit, who qualifies, the updated Child Benefit rates for 2025-2026, and why it’s especially important to claim before Christmas.
What Is Child Benefit and Who Qualifies in the UK?
Child Benefit is a non-means-tested payment provided to parents or guardians who are responsible for raising a child. This means that most families in the UK are eligible to claim, regardless of whether they are in work or how much they earn.
Who Can Claim Child Benefit?
- Parents, step-parents, or guardians are responsible for the day-to-day care of a child.
- Anyone living in the UK with a child under 16 years old, or under 20 if the child remains in approved education or training.
Child Benefit Rates (2025-2026):
- £26.40 per week for the eldest (or only) child.
- £17.50 per week for each additional child.
These rates mean that a family with two children can receive up to £2,287 per year to help cover the costs of raising their family.
Even small weekly payments can add up to significant annual support, especially during high-cost periods like Christmas and winter.
Why Should Parents Claim Child Benefit Before Christmas?
HMRC’s Christmas campaign is not just about raising awareness—it’s a timely financial reminder. Here’s why applying now really matters.
Beat the Processing Delays
It can take up to 16 weeks for a new Child Benefit claim to be processed. If you apply now, you are more likely to start receiving payments in the new year, right when post-Christmas bills start to pile up.
Support for Christmas Expenses
The festive season brings significant costs that can strain family budgets:
- Gifts and seasonal activities for children
- Increased heating bills during winter
- School events and Christmas trips
- Special meals and family celebrations
Child Benefit may not cover all these costs, but it can ease the burden.
Backdate Your Claim
If you apply now, you can backdate your claim by up to three months, meaning you could receive a lump sum payment shortly after approval. This is especially valuable during or just after Christmas, when families often need a financial boost.
Secure Long-Term Entitlements
Claiming now isn’t just about immediate help—it’s about securing future financial rights like National Insurance credits and automatic National Insurance numbers for your child.
How Does Child Benefit Support Long-Term Financial Security?
Child Benefit does more than help with today’s bills—it’s a stepping stone to long-term financial protection for parents and their children.
National Insurance Credits
If the Child Benefit recipient is not working or earning below the National Insurance contribution threshold, they automatically receive National Insurance credits. These credits count towards their State Pension entitlement.
Failing to claim Child Benefit can lead to gaps in your National Insurance record, which might reduce your future pension payments.
Automatic National Insurance Number for Your Child
When you claim Child Benefit, your child is automatically issued a National Insurance number before their 16th birthday. This makes it easier for them to work, pay taxes, and manage their financial affairs in adulthood.
Continuous Benefit Records
Child Benefit helps keep your family’s benefit records up to date. This can streamline applications for other family benefits in the future.
Can You Claim Child Benefit If You’re a High Earner?
Yes, you can—and you probably should. Many high-income parents believe they can’t claim Child Benefit, but that’s not the case.
How the High-Income Child Benefit Charge Works:
- If you or your partner earns over £60,000 per year, you may need to pay back some or all of the Child Benefit through the High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).
- For every £100 you earn over £60,000, you repay 1% of the Child Benefit.
- If your income reaches £80,000 or more, you will have to repay the full amount.
However, claiming is still a smart move because:
- You can choose to register without receiving payments, allowing you to protect your National Insurance record.
- Your child will still automatically receive their National Insurance number at age 16.
Even if you end up paying it back through your tax return, the long-term protections are worth claiming.
What Is the High-Income Child Benefit Charge and How Does It Affect You?
The High-Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) is designed to balance the system by asking high earners to repay some or all of the Child Benefit they receive.
Key Details:
- Applies when either parent earns over £60,000 per year.
- The repayment is proportional: the higher your income, the more you repay.
- You must register for Self Assessment to pay the charge, even if you are normally taxed through PAYE.
Should High Earners Still Claim?
Yes. Even if you repay it all:
- Registering preserves your National Insurance record.
- Your child automatically gets their National Insurance number.
- You have the option to stop payments while keeping your claim active.
Some families mistakenly stop the entire process, losing long-term benefits they didn’t know they were entitled to.
How Do You Claim Child Benefit Quickly and Easily?
Many parents delay because they think claiming is complicated. In reality, it’s quite straightforward.
Step 1: Complete the CH2 Form
- You can download this from the HMRC Child Benefit page.
- Fill in your personal details and those of your child.
Step 2: Submit Proof of Birth
- You must send your child’s original birth certificate by post.
- HMRC will return it to you.
Step 3: Wait for Processing
- It can take up to 16 weeks for claims to be processed.
- You can track your claim via your personal HMRC online account.
Step 4: Manage Your Claim Online
Once approved, you can:
- Update your details.
- Stop or restart payments.
- Change your payment frequency.
Can Claims Be Backdated?
Yes, claims can typically be backdated by up to three months, which may result in additional payments shortly after your application is approved.
Why Do Parents Delay Claiming Child Benefit?
Despite the simplicity of the process, thousands of families miss out each year.
Common Reasons:
- Assuming high earners aren’t eligible.
- Believing it’s automatically applied at birth.
- Thinking the application is too complicated or time-consuming.
- Concerns about the High-Income Child Benefit Charge.
Unfortunately, these misconceptions can lead to missed financial support and long-term disadvantages.
The Reality:
- The process is manageable.
- Even high earners should register.
- The long-term benefits often outweigh the short-term repayment concerns.
What Happens If You Don’t Claim Child Benefit?
Failing to claim Child Benefit can have lasting consequences, even if you think you don’t need the money right now.
Risks of Not Claiming:
- You may lose National Insurance credits, which could reduce your State Pension in the future.
- Your child may not receive their National Insurance number automatically, which can cause delays when they start working or need to apply for financial products.
- You miss out on immediate financial support that could ease your family’s day-to-day costs.
The decision to claim impacts both current and future financial security.
Why Is HMRC Especially Targeting New Parents This Year?
New parents are often the most vulnerable to missing out, especially during the first few months of adjusting to life with a newborn.
Why New Parents Are at Risk:
- They may assume benefits are automatically applied when the birth is registered.
- They may think Child Benefit is only for low-income families, which is not the case.
- They may simply be overwhelmed with new responsibilities and not prioritise the application.
HMRC’s 2024 campaign specifically targets new parents to ensure they understand:
- They must actively apply.
- They are entitled to claim, regardless of income.
- Delays can result in missed payments and loss of benefits.
Can Child Benefit Help Manage the Cost of Living Crisis?
With food, energy, and housing costs still affecting many families in the UK, Child Benefit remains a vital source of support.
How Child Benefit Helps:
- Consistent, reliable payments that help cover everyday child-related expenses.
- Additional financial support to manage rising food prices, school supplies, childcare, and heating costs.
- Helps parents budget more confidently, especially during the expensive winter and Christmas season.
Even families who are coping well may find that Child Benefit provides welcome breathing space in their finances.
What Are the Key Deadlines Parents Should Remember?
There is no formal deadline for claiming Child Benefit, but waiting too long can result in a loss of benefits.
Important Timelines:
- Claims can only be backdated for three months, so applying late could mean permanently losing out on earlier payments.
- The processing time can be up to 16 weeks, so applying early ensures your payments arrive sooner.
- National Insurance credits begin from the start of your claim, not your child’s birth, which means late claims can create gaps in your record.
HMRC’s Christmas push is about encouraging families to apply early to avoid missing out.
Final Thoughts: Why Parents Should Act Now
The message from HMRC this Christmas is simple:
If you’re a parent or guardian, don’t delay—claim your Child Benefit now.
Whether you’re a first-time parent, someone with multiple children, or a high earner concerned about the tax charge, you should still apply.
The benefit offers more than just money—it protects your future pension, secures your child’s National Insurance number, and can provide extra support exactly when you need it.
Acting now means:
- Getting payments processed sooner.
- Potentially receiving backdated payments.
- Reducing your financial pressure over Christmas and the new year.
Don’t leave money on the table—make your claim today.
