Starting April 6, 2024, thousands of families across the UK could now get help from the government through Child Benefit payments. If you or your partner earn less than £60,000 a year, there’s good news for you. A recent change in income rules means more families now qualify for this support, even if they didn’t before.
If you opted out of receiving Child Benefit earlier due to income limits, now is the time to take another look. You could be missing out on money that helps with raising children.
What Is Child Benefit?
Child Benefit is a payment from the UK government to help families with the cost of raising children. It is paid to parents or guardians of children under the age of 16 (or under 20 if they are still in education or training).
For the first or only child, you get £26.05 per week. That adds up to about £1,354.60 a year. For every other child, you get £17.25 a week, or £897 a year.
Usually, this money is paid every four weeks directly into your bank account. It’s a useful support to help with the everyday expenses of raising kids.
New Income Threshold from April 2024
Earlier, if one parent earned over £50,000 a year, they had to pay something called the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). That meant families with a higher income saw their Child Benefit reduced—or even lost it altogether.
But from April 6, 2024, the income limit has gone up to £60,000. This means if you or your partner earn below £60,000, you can now receive full Child Benefit without having to pay it back.
What Happens If You Earn More Than £60,000?
If one parent earns more than £60,000, they will have to pay back some of the benefit through the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
Here’s how it works:
- For every £200 earned over £60,000, you pay back 1% of the Child Benefit.
- If you earn £80,000 or more, you’ll have to repay the full amount.
So even if you’re over the new limit, you might still get some benefit—it just gets smaller the more you earn.
Should You Opt Back In?
Yes! If you stopped claiming Child Benefit before because of the old income rules, you might now be eligible again. HMRC shared a reminder on social media (X, formerly Twitter) saying:
“Opted out of Child Benefit payments and earn under £80k? You may be missing out on support.”
You can easily opt back in through the HMRC app or their website.
Why It’s Important
Even if you have to pay some of it back, claiming Child Benefit helps in other ways too. For example:
- It helps you build up National Insurance credits, which count toward your State Pension.
- It helps prove you were responsible for a child, which might be useful for future benefits or tax claims.
This change is a big win for many UK families. Now, with the higher income limit, more parents can benefit from Child Benefit support. If you earn under £60,000, you get the full amount. Even if your income is between £60,000 and £80,000, you may still get partial support. Don’t miss out—check your eligibility today and consider opting back in if you had stopped earlier. It’s quick, helpful, and could make a real difference in your family budget.
FAQs
Who is eligible for Child Benefit in the UK in 2024?
Any parent or guardian responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they’re in full-time education or training, can claim Child Benefit. You can receive the full benefit amount if no one in the household earns over £60,000 annually.
What is the new income threshold for Child Benefit from April 2024?
From 6 April 2024, the income limit before the High Income Child Benefit Charge applies is £60,000. Previously, it was £50,000.
How much Child Benefit can I get in 2024?
You can receive £26.05 per week (£1,354.60 a year) for your eldest or only child. For each additional child, the payment is £17.25 per week (£897 a year).
What happens if I earn more than £60,000 a year?
If one parent earns over £60,000, they must repay 1% of the Child Benefit for every £200 earned above this threshold. At £80,000 or more, the benefit is fully repaid.
How can I opt back into Child Benefit payments?
You can opt back in through the HMRC website or the HMRC app. It’s quick and easy to do online.
