Thousands of UK parents are being reminded to take urgent action as the August 31, 2025 deadline approaches to continue receiving Child Benefit payments. Missing this deadline could cost families up to £1,354 per year if they fail to update their child’s education status with HMRC.
What Is Happening and Why the Deadline Matters
Child Benefit is automatically paid until a child turns 16. After that age, payments stop unless parents inform HMRC that their child is still in education or training. To extend payments, families must apply before the August 31 deadline.
HMRC confirmed that reminder letters were sent in May and July 2025. However, parents who didn’t receive these letters can still update their details online via their Government Gateway account or the official HMRC app.
Who Is Eligible for Continued Child Benefit?
Parents can continue to claim Child Benefit if their child:
✔ Is aged 16 to 19
✔ Is in full-time education (A-Levels, T Levels, Scottish Highers, NVQ Level 3)
✔ Is home-educated (if started before 16 or approved later for special needs)
✔ Is enrolled in a study program in England
✔ Is in a pre-apprenticeship course
❌ Parents are not eligible if the child is in university, paid training, or job-related training.
Timeline and Key Dates
- May – July 2025: HMRC sent out reminder letters to parents.
- August 31, 2025: Final deadline to update HMRC and extend Child Benefit.
If approved, Child Benefit payments can continue until the child turns 19, adding up to £4,063.80 over three years.
How Much Is Child Benefit Worth?
- £26.05 per week (£1,354.60 per year) for the eldest or only child
- £17.25 per week (£897 per year) for each additional child
Payments are made every four weeks directly to the parent’s bank account.
Why This Matters: Social Media and Public Reactions
With the deadline approaching, UK parents are taking to social media and forums to remind others not to miss the cut-off date. Many highlight that Child Benefit reduces financial pressure during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Campaigners also stress that failing to claim could affect National Insurance credits, which count toward the state pension.
Government Crackdown on Fraudulent Claims
The government has warned of a major crackdown on benefit fraud starting in September. Cabinet Office Minister Georgia Gould stated:
“This government is committed to stopping people from claiming benefits when they are not eligible. From September, we will have ten times more investigators saving hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money.”
What Parents Should Do Next
Check your eligibility
Apply online before August 31 via HMRC website or app
Avoid missing out on thousands of pounds in support
This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
Conclusion
Parents across the UK have until August 31, 2025, to confirm their child’s education status and secure Child Benefit worth up to £1,354 annually. Missing the deadline could mean losing vital financial support and National Insurance credits. Act now—update your details today to avoid losing out.
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