In 2025, thousands of families across the UK are unknowingly missing out on up to £2,200 a year in Child Benefit payments. Over 200,000 eligible households are not claiming this essential financial support, either due to past income limits, lack of awareness, or confusion around eligibility.
With the cost of living continuing to rise, now is the time for families to check if they qualify — especially as income thresholds have changed and payment rates are increasing.
How Much Is Child Benefit Worth in 2025?
Child Benefit provides weekly payments to help families with the cost of raising children. From April 2025, the government has confirmed an increase of 1.7% to these rates due to inflation. The new rates are:
- £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child
- £17.25 per week for each additional child
That’s over £1,350 annually for one child, and more than £2,200 for two children, offering meaningful financial relief for many households. If you’re not claiming, that’s money left unclaimed each month that could be helping with food, bills, or childcare.
High Income Child Benefit Charge: What’s Changed?
In the past, many parents opted out of receiving Child Benefit due to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC), which required families earning over a certain amount to repay part or all of their benefit.
However, as of 2025, the income threshold for HICBC has been raised to £60,000. This means more families can now receive the full benefit without being affected by the charge. If you or your partner earns less than this amount, you could be entitled to full Child Benefit payments again — even if you opted out before.
Who Can Apply for Child Benefit?
You may be eligible to claim Child Benefit if you are responsible for a child who is:
- Under 16 years old, or
- Under 20 and in full-time approved education or training
There is no limit on how many children you can claim for, and the payments can make a big difference to your household budget.
Why It’s Important to Claim
Even if you’re not in urgent financial need, claiming Child Benefit has long-term benefits:
- National Insurance credits: These help you qualify for a full State Pension later in life
- Automatic National Insurance number: Your child will receive theirs at age 16 without needing to apply manually
- So even if the payments are small, not claiming can affect your future pension entitlement.
How to Apply for Child Benefit
Applying for Child Benefit is simple and can be done:
- Online via the official HMRC website
- By post if your child was born outside the UK or is adopted
If your child is over three months old, don’t worry — you can still claim up to three months of backdated payments. That means even if you haven’t claimed yet this year, you may still be able to recover some of what you’ve missed.
When Will the New Child Benefit Rates Start?
From April 2025, families already receiving Child Benefit will see their new payment rates applied automatically. There is no need to reapply, but if your bank account or address has changed, make sure to update your information via the HMRC app or the GOV.UK website.
Don’t Miss Out on What You’re Entitled To
Recent data from a Freedom of Information request by The Sun revealed that over 214,000 eligible families are not claiming Child Benefit. Whether it’s due to previous income restrictions or confusion about how to apply, many households are unknowingly losing out on over £2,000 per year.
With the income threshold raised, more parents can now claim without worrying about the repayment charge. And with cost of living pressures continuing, every pound counts.
Child Benefit is one of the easiest ways for UK families to receive regular financial help — and now, with the increased 2025 payment rates and a higher income threshold, thousands more are eligible than before. Whether you’ve never claimed or opted out in the past, this is a good time to check your eligibility.
Besides the financial boost, claiming Child Benefit also protects your State Pension and ensures your child gets a National Insurance number at the right time. Apply today to make sure you’re not missing out.
FAQ’s
How much is Child Benefit worth in 2025?
From April 2025, Child Benefit is £26.05 per week for the eldest child and £17.25 per week for each additional child, offering up to £2,200 per year for families with two children.
Who is eligible to claim Child Benefit?
Anyone responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they’re in approved education or training, can claim. There is no limit to how many children you can claim for.
What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge?
HICBC is a tax charge that affects parents earning above the income threshold. In 2025, this threshold has increased to £60,000, allowing more families to claim without penalty.
How can I apply for Child Benefit?
You can apply online through HMRC or by post if your child was born outside the UK or is adopted. Claims can be backdated for up to three months.
Why should I claim Child Benefit even if I don’t need the money?
Claiming provides National Insurance credits that help you qualify for a full State Pension and ensures your child gets a National Insurance number automatically at age 16.
