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Family & Benefits · 2025/26 rates

Child Benefit Calculator

Child Benefit is a weekly payment from HMRC for anyone responsible for a child. £26.05 for the first child, £17.25 for each additional. Worth claiming even if you have to pay it back (it earns you NI credits).

Children under 16, or under 20 in approved education/training.

You receive

£43.30/week

£2,252 per year (paid every 4 weeks)

Annual breakdown

  • Weekly
    £43
  • Monthly equivalent
    £188
  • Annual total
    £2,252

How we calculated your result

Weekly × 52 = annual. Actually paid every 4 weeks (13 payments/year). Claim per family, not per child — and only one parent receives it.

Official UK rules in simple English

  • £26.05/week for first/only/eldest qualifying child.
  • £17.25/week for each additional child.
  • Paid every 4 weeks into a bank account.
  • Eligible until child is 16 (or 20 if in approved education).
  • From £60,000 income, HICBC kicks in — see the High Income Child Benefit Charge calculator.

Common pitfalls to watch out for

  • ⚠ Always claim, even if HICBC will take it all

    Claiming earns you NI credits towards State Pension. Tick ‘I don’t want payment’ if you don’t want the cashflow back-and-forth.

  • ⚠ Higher earner is the partner liable, not the claimant

    Even if your partner claims, if YOU earn over £60k, YOU pay the charge — through Self Assessment.

  • ⚠ Lose it when child leaves school

    Must update HMRC by 31 August after child turns 16 to keep claim going through sixth form/college.

Frequently asked questions

Does it count for Universal Credit?
No — Child Benefit is in addition to UC and doesn’t affect the calculation.
Can I claim if my child lives abroad?
Usually no, unless they’re temporarily abroad (e.g. uni placement) or special EU cases.

Estimate based on April 2025 rates.

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