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Funding & money

Child Benefit: 2026 rates, eligibility and how to claim

Child Benefit is paid to anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education). Here are the current rates, how to apply, and why even high earners should claim it.

Reviewed by the Nursery Advice editorial teamLast updated 31 May 2026Next review 30 November 2026Editorial standards

Child Benefit is paid by HMRC to anyone responsible for bringing up a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education or training). The current weekly rates (2025–2026) are £26.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.25 for each additional child1. From April 2026, rates rise in line with the Up-rating Order2 — check the gov.uk page for the current figure.

Who can claim

You can claim if you live in the UK and are responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education like A-levels). Only one person per household claims for a given child.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC)

If either parent earns over £60,000, you pay back some Child Benefit through self-assessment. The charge is 1% for every £200 of income over £60,000, hitting 100% at £80,000.

How to claim

  1. Apply online via gov.uk/child-benefit, or in the HMRC app, as soon as your baby’s birth is registered.
  2. You’ll need their birth certificate and your bank details.
  3. Claims can be backdated up to 3 months — don’t delay if your baby’s a few weeks old.

Frequently asked questions

Does Child Benefit affect Universal Credit?
No — Child Benefit is not means-tested for UC purposes. You can receive both.
Can both parents claim?
No. Only one person claims per child. The claimant is usually the main carer.
Do I still get Child Benefit if my child is at university?
No — it ends when they leave approved school/college education or turn 20.

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About this guide & sources

Every numerical claim in this guide is sourced from UK government, NHS or recognised charity publications. We re-check each source on the article’s review date.

  1. GOV.UK — Child Benefit — what you’ll get (retrieved 2026-05-16)
  2. legislation.gov.uk — The Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance Up-rating Order 2026 (retrieved 2026-05-16)

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