My child is turning 16
Your benefits, tax credits and child maintenance may change once your child is 16 years old. Any changes depend on what your child does after they are 16.
Information
What happens to Child Benefit when my child is 16+?
You can get Child Benefit from HMRC for each child you are responsible for. The child does not have to be yours but you need to be caring for them. Only one person can get Child Benefit for the same child.
Information
What happens to Universal Credit when my child is 16+?
Universal Credit provides financial support to families for living expenses and rent. It includes amounts for yourself and your children.
Information
What happens to tax credits when my child is 16+?
Child Tax Credit is paid for your children. Working Tax Credit is paid for you if you work 16 or more hours per week. The amount you receive from both Child and Working Tax Credit depends on your circumstances.
Information
What happens to Housing Benefit when my child turns 16+?
Housing Benefit helps to pay your rent. You get a payment for yourself and an amount for each child who lives with you. The amount you get could change as your child gets older.
Information
What happens to Council Tax when my child turns 16+?
You may get a Council Tax Discount and a Council Tax Reduction to reduce the amount of Council Tax you need to pay. You may get both at the same time.
Information
What happens to Child Maintenance when my child is 16+?
Parents have a legal duty to financially support their child. Child Maintenance can be arranged in 3 ways – directly with the parent who pays, through the Child Maintenance Service or the Scottish courts.
Information
Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
Young people aged 16 to 19 who stay in school or college may get the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
