What happens to Child Benefit when my child is 16+?

Last updated: 10/04/2025

Looking to find out about what happens to Child Benefit when your child is 16+? One Parent Families Scotland can help you understand your situation.

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.

Report changes to your Child Benefit

Helpline: 0300 200 3100 Mon – Fri, 8am – 6pm
Textphone: 0300 200 3103

Report changes online

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How much is Child Benefit?

There are 2 rates of Child Benefit. You will get the higher rate for your first or only child. You will receive the lower amount for each of your other children.

When Child Benefit stops for your eldest child, the higher rate of Child Benefit will be paid for the child next in line.

Child Benefit rates (weekly):

  • First or only child: £26.05 
  • Second and subsequent children: £17.25 

Find out more about Child Benefit

 

When does Child Benefit stop?

Child Benefit stops automatically on 31 August after your child’s 16th birthday.

If your child stays in ‘approved’ education Child Benefit can continue to be paid until they turn 20. You need to tell HMRC that your child is not leaving approved education at 16 or your Child Benefit will stop.

If your child continues in approved education when they are 16 or older, Child Benefit will stop at the end of February, 31 May, 31 August or 30 November (which ever is first) when they:

  • leave approved education or
  • start to get Universal Credit or
  • start paid work of 24 or more hours per week or
  • start a course of Higher Education or
  • reach the age of 20

Let HMRC know when one of these happen.

 

When can Child Benefit continue for children 16 and over?

Child Benefit can continue for a child between 16 and 20 years old if they stay in ‘approved’ education or training or if you have applied for the Child Benefit Extension Period.

If your child stays in approved education or training, you must inform the Child Benefit Helpline, so that Child Benefit and other benefits continue.

What is approved education or training?

Approved education and training is full-time and non-advanced and was started before the age of 19.

Find out what advanced and non-advanced education and training is.

An education course is full time if it involves more than 12 hours per week of teaching or supervised study/exams.

If you still have questions, the school or college can tell you if a course is full-time as well as if it is advanced or not.

The Child Benefit Extension Period

Child Benefit will stop when your child leaves approved education.

If your child is 16 or 17 you can keep Child Benefit for up to 20 weeks longer.  This is called the Child Benefit Extension Period.

To get the Child Benefit Extension Period your child must:

  • be 16 or 17 years old
  • either be signed up to join the Armed Forces OR have registered with their local careers service
  • work less than 24 hours per week
  • not be receiving certain benefits

You must apply within three months of them leaving education or training. You must also have been entitled to Child Benefit immediately before they left the approved education or training.

To find your local careers service office, call the Skills Development Scotland Helpline: 0800 917 8000.

Child Benefit stops when the extension period ends, or when your child turns 18, whichever comes first.

How to apply for the Child Benefit Extension Period

Once your child has registered with the careers service or signed up to join the Armed Forces, you can apply for the Child Benefit Extension Period in one of 3 ways:-

By post to:

HM Revenue and Customs – Child Benefit Office
PO Box 1
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE88 1AA
United Kingdom

By calling the Child Benefit Helpline on 0300 200 3100 Mon – Fri, 8am – 6pm

Or you can apply online

Keeping Child Benefit during a break in your child's approved education or training

If your child is 16 or over, a temporary break from education can be ignored for up to 6 months. You would continue to receive Child Benefit during this period if HMRC considers the reasons for the break to be reasonable and sees that your child will return to education. Child Benefit can be paid for breaks longer than 6 months if the break is due to physical or mental ill health.

Child Benefit will stop for breaks over 6 months, unless it’s for health reasons, but you can ask for it to be paid again if your child returns to education or training before their 19th birthday.

What can I do when Child Benefit stops?

We know that it can be difficult when benefits stop and you might still need support. Here are some useful links to help you when Child Benefit stops.

If you’re looking for mental health support during this difficult time, our My Life and Me website is full of advice and tips for single parents.

At One Parent Families Scotland, we understand that being a single parent can be extremely challenging. We’re here to listen without judgement. If you need to speak to someone about changes to your benefits, financial worries, or if you’re feeling snowed under, one of our trained advisors can support you.

Contact OPFS on our Helpline at 0808 801 0323 between 9:30am and 4pm Monday to Friday

Or you can use our Webchat between 9:30am and 4pm Monday to Friday. If you’d prefer to email us, you can get in touch at advice@opfs.org.uk.
We will respond to your email query as quickly as we can.

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