Child Benefit

Child benefit is available to any individual who looks after a child under 16 or 19 if the child remains in full time-education. Child benefit is also available to carers of children 16 or 17 years old registered with the Careers or Connexions service. The recipient of the child benefit does not have to be the child's parent.

Child benefit is not related to your National Insurance contributions and is not a taxable benefit.
Child benefit may affect any other benefits you are claiming as it is counted as part of your income.

Child benefit amounts are currently -

• £17.45 per week for the eldest child
  
• £11.70 for each subsequent child
  
  

Child benefit payments are made every 4 weeks as follows -

• By direct deposit to your bank, building society or Post office account.
  
• By cheque at the Post Office
  
  

Single parents and families with partners receiving income support may receive the child benefit weekly.

It is important to register for child benefit as soon as your child is born, or you begin living with and caring for a child.

Application forms and more information can be found online at Child Benefit Application Form

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