The UK government is focusing on individuals who continue to claim child benefit after leaving the country, aiming to reduce costs by several hundred million pounds. Currently, child benefit is being paid to 6.9 million households, following an increase in the earning limit for eligibility.
Child benefit can be claimed by individuals responsible for a child under a specified age, with only one claim allowed per child. It can be claimed for an unlimited number of children and is typically disbursed every four weeks, with weekly payments available to single parents or those receiving certain benefits, such as universal credit. Claimants must notify HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if leaving the UK for more than eight weeks, as they may lose eligibility unless exceptional circumstances apply. In cases of medical treatment or family bereavement, a 12-week limit is allowed.
The government is expanding a pilot project that successfully halted payments to 2,600 individuals who had left the UK, resulting in savings of £17 million. A new team will implement checks using international travel data to verify ongoing eligibility. The initiative aims to save £350 million over five years.
As of April 7, 2025, the amounts for child benefit are £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, and £17.25 for younger children. Households with an income below £60,000 can receive full payments, while benefits begin to taper off beyond this threshold, halting entirely at an income of £80,000. The charged limits were recently increased and have faced criticism regarding their impact on single-parent households.
Applications for child benefit can be submitted shortly after a birth registration or when a child comes to live with a claimant. Payments may be backdated for up to three months. Necessary documents include the child’s birth certificate, bank details, and National Insurance numbers for both the claimant and their partner, if applicable. Claiming child benefit also grants National Insurance credits, which contribute towards state pension eligibility. Changes in family dynamics can alter benefit amounts, with specific rules governing eligibility in different living arrangements.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y3lyq28lgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss