Claiming child benefit

The child benefit rates for the only or eldest child in a family increased to £24.00 for the 2023-24 tax year and the weekly rate for all other children to £15.90.

An application to receive child benefit can usually be made from the day after you have registered the birth of your child, or once a child comes to live with you. An application for child benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months. 

An application for child benefit is usually made online either using the government gateway or independently. Making an application through the government gateway will usually make completing the claim faster.

If you are unable to complete a claim online, it is also possible to claim child benefit by completing the Child Benefit form CH2 and sending it to the Child Benefit Office. The address is on the form. If a claim is being made for more than two children, complete the additional child CH2(CS) form and send it with your CH2. It is also possible to contact HMRC to make a claim by phone if the online or postal routes are not available.

Child benefit is usually payable for children who come to the UK. However, there are a number of rules which must be met in order to claim. HMRC must be notified without delay if a child receiving child benefit moves permanently abroad.