HMRC has issued a new message for parents (Image: Getty)
As September 26 marks the day with the highest number of births, HM Revenue and Customs () is reminding new parents to claim their Child Benefit without delay.
Parents are encouraged to claim online for swift payments, which could see them receiving their first instalment just one week after their baby’s birth.
Child Benefit provides up to £1,331 per year for the first child and £881 for each additional sibling. The app or website offers a secure and free service for claims, which can be made 48 hours after registering the birth.
Most claims are processed within three days, ensuring families get their initial payment in about a week.
Claims can be backdated for up to three months. Myrtle Lloyd, ‘s Director General for Customer Services, advises, “With more babies set to be born on 26 September than any other day, we hope that parents of these newborns take full advantage of their Child Benefit entitlement.”
“We’ve made it simpler than ever to claim online and receive a first payment within as little as three days so download the app today or search on GOV.UK.”
How to make a claim
To lodge a claim, families will need:.
- their child’s birth or adoption certificate.
- their bank account details.
- their National Insurance number and that of their partner, if applicable.
- the child’s original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document, for children born outside the UK.
The sum decreases if a household member earns between £60,000 and £80,000 and is subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. For families in this income bracket, the online can provide an estimate of the potential benefit claimable and the possible charge.
Families who were previously subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge when the threshold was £50,000, and chose to opt out of payments but now wish to restart them, can do so using the online form on .
Claiming Child Benefit also results in National Insurance (NI) credits being awarded. A minimum of 10 years’ worth of NI credits are required to claim some , with 35 years of NI credits needed for the full .
This can be beneficial for those not in paid employment and not receiving NI credits from their employer.
Even if a person living in a household subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge claims Child Benefit but chooses not to receive a payment that they may have to repay, they will still receive NI credits.