Child Benefit Payments to increase April 2022
If you’re responsible for the upbringing of a child up to the age of 16 or a 16-20 year old who is still in education or training, then you’re eligible for child benefit. How much you get is outlined by the government each year and you’ll be entitled to receive a payment of a set amount once every four weeks. How much you’ll receive depends upon how many eligible dependents you have, but the amount is set to increase in the new tax year which starts in April 2022.
How much child benefit will you receive?
For the tax year 2021-2022, the child benefit amounts were:
- First child – £21.15 per week
- Additional children – £14 per week
For the tax year 2022-2023, these amounts will increase to:
- First child – £21.80
- Additional children – £14.45 per week
The payments will automatically be updated and you don’t need to do anything in order to receive the new, higher amounts from April.
For the average family of four, this equates to an additional £1.10 per week or £57.20 per year.
Who can claim child benefit?
You can claim child benefit as soon as you register the birth of your child, or as soon as a child comes to live with you. It is available for families with children up to the age of 16, or up to the age of 20 if they attend an approved training or educational course.
Only one person can claim child benefit. So, if you share custody of your children, you will need to decide which parent receives it.
There is no limit to how many children you can claim for, but bear in mind that if you earn more than £50,000 then you will need to pay tax on the payments you receive.
Other things to think about
If you’re a stay-at-home parent and in receipt of child benefit, then the years that you claim can count towards your National Insurance Credits which count towards your state pension when you reach retirement age.
For many families, child benefit provides a really vital part of their income, and this increase is sure to be welcomed.
