The scoop
Child Benefit pays £27.05 a week for your eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each additional child. Anyone responsible for a child can claim.
Claim soon after your baby is born, because backdating is limited. If you or your partner earn a high income you may pay some of it back through tax, but claiming still protects your National Insurance record.
How to claim it
- 1
Register your baby's birth.
- 2
Claim online or with the HMRC app.
- 3
Payments are made every 4 weeks (weekly in some cases).
Who qualifies
- Responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education)
- High earners may repay some through tax