Hundreds of thousands of parents could have HMRC benefits stopped following GCSE results day

Parents are being warned to take another look at their child benefit claims following GCSE results day. Hundreds of thousands of students will have received their grades last week, with just as many planning on what they will do next. While some teenagers may choose to go onto higher education, others may have different plans.

Depending on what your child does next, you could end up losing your child benefit claim, even if the child is still eligible. The benefit pays £25.60 for the eldest child and an additional £16.95 for any other children, equating to £1,331.20 a year for the oldest child alone.

However, parents of 16 to 19-year-olds that are continuing to an approved education or training, such as A Levels, will be required to extend their claim or miss out on the extra few thousands of pounds they could receive. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will have already written a warning to 1.5 million during this summer to remind them that they have until August 31 to extend their claim or miss out on future payments.

It is relatively easy and quick to extend your child benefit claim if needed. If your child is staying in approved education, you can tell HMRC through its online services here.

For the online service, you will need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have on then you will be able to create one here.

Meanwhile, if your child is aged 18 to 20 and staying in approved education, you will need to inform HMRC through a CH297 form which can be filled in online here.

When your child leaves education or training, your payments will continue until one of the following dates (whichever is soonest):

You may be abe to still receive an extension if your child leaves education and training and: