Child Benefit in the UK generally stops on 31 August after your child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training. However, if your child stays in approved full-time education or training (more than 12 hours per week) and started the course before they turned 19, Child Benefit can continue until they turn 20. You must inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that your child is staying in approved education or training to keep receiving the benefit beyond 16
. If your child leaves approved education or training between 16 and 20, Child Benefit will stop at the end of the next payment period (end of February, May, August, or November) or when they start paid work of 24 or more hours per week, start receiving certain benefits, or begin higher education
. There is also a Child Benefit Extension Period allowing continuation of payments for up to 20 weeks after a 16 or 17-year-old leaves education or training if they meet specific criteria, such as registering with the local careers service or signing up for the Armed Forces
. In summary:
- Child Benefit stops automatically on 31 August after the child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training.
- It continues up to age 20 if the child remains in approved full-time education or training.
- You must notify HMRC to continue payments beyond 16.
- Payments stop earlier if the child starts full-time work, higher education, or certain benefits.
This applies across the UK with some regional variations in approved training programs
