Child Benefit Guidance UK 2023

This article seeks to guide you on Child benefits in the UK in 2023, who is eligible for it, how much it is, and also what entitlements a person with a baby can enjoy in the UK. Also, what high income earners need to know about laying claim to child benefits. So, if you reside in the UK and you are not clear on the requirements for eligibility for child benefit, then here’s a complete guide to how you can sign up for it and enjoy all the benefits that come with it. Before we proceed,

What is Child benefit?

Child benefit as the name implies is a form of payment assistance given to parents or guardians of children who are resident in the UK and who are responsible for taking care of children who are under the age of 16 (or under 20 years if they are in a government approved training or course).

That would include children who are infants, toddlers, teenagers and in some instances young adults. The reason for this payment is to assist parents or guardians cushion the cost of raising a child. And only one parent is paid the child benefit. In 2021, it was estimated that 7.09million families and 12.31million child were recipients of child benefits in the UK.

But there has been a considerable decrease in the number of recipients compared to when the child benefit act was first introduced in 2013.

Responsibility here would mean that you live with the children or if they are not with you, then you must be paying the equivalent of the benefit in child support. For instance, you will be paying for their feeding, clothing and maybe an addition for pocket money. The child benefit payment is usually made once in a month, however if you are a single parent or you are currently enrolled in any other government support schemes then payment is done on a weekly basis.

In a situation where the child (children) in your care are between the ages of 16 to 17 and they decide to stop school and join the military or a government sponsored service, then the child benefit will be paid continuously for up to 20weeks after which it will stop.

How much is Child Benefit in the UK?

In the UK, child benefits are paid usually every 4 weeks and the cost ranges from £21.8 a week if the child in question is your first child. But for subsequent children, the amount payable is £14.45 a week. However, it is noteworthy to state that there are clear indications that the UK government has decided to make an increase in child benefit beginning from this year.

Does everyone get Child Benefit in the UK?

Even though child benefit is for children under 16years and in some cases 20years, there are circumstances where payment will be denied.

Here are some of those circumstances bearing in mind everyone case is different but, in some case, like:

In a case where a child is hospitalized or in a form of care facility and is to stay there for more than 12weeks, child benefit will be denied unless you are paying for some of the child’s needs while they are there.
Where the child un question is between 16 to 17years of age and has left school or any government approved training and is employed and works for up to 24hours a week they will not be entitled to the benefit.
If a child has been in police custody or is in prison for up to 8weeks, they automatically do not qualify for child benefit.
Children who are in the care of local authorities for 8weeks or more will not be enjoy the child benefit payment.
In a situation where the child is married or in a form of civil arrangement, they will not be entitled to child benefit. But if they are not living with the said partner, or their partner is in full time education or undergoing a government approved training then this rule will not apply to them.

Benefits you can claim for a baby in the UK:

If you are a UK resident there are number of benefits and entitlements to claim if you are pregnant or have a baby in the UK. The reason we want to make it clear is not every pregnant woman can claim those benefit especially some people abroad do come to have their child deliver in the UK for better health care service that they paid for by their private health care insurance.

Here is the list of benefit UK resident are entitled to if you are having a baby and how to make your claim to the relevant authority

They include:

Paid time off for antenatal care

Even though this claim is for pregnant mothers, it is well expected that you will eventually birth you baby alive and well so we might as well include it to the list of claims for a baby in the UK. Antenatal care here would include time for doctors and midwife visits, doctor recommended time to rest and relax. In some cases, It would include the doctor’s appointment which you need to communicate with your employer if you are employed. So, you are entitled to payment when you are away for your antenatal visits.

However, it should be noted that only pregnant women who are employed can make this claim. Therefore, you will need to give your employer ample notice of your antenatal visits as this will give them time to make alternative arrangements as regards work.

Also, your partner is entitled to time off although it is unpaid time off work to go with you on your antenatal visits.

2. Maternity Leave with pay

Women who are employed and just had a baby are entitled to a mandatory statutory maternity leave. And this leave can last for as much as 39weeks and for the duration of the leave you will be paid your full benefits. However, for you to go on maternity leave, you must inform your employer when you intend to stop work, and this is usually between 15weeks from the due date of the baby. And you must tender a 28day notice of your intention to go on leave and proof that you are actually pregnant.

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3. Maternity allowance

This payment is usually from the government, it is usually paid monthly and only women who haven’t been able to get mandatory statutory leave can claim this.

However, you may claim maternity allowance if:

(a) You haven’t worked for your employer for a long time

(b)You are self-employed.

(d) Finally, the amount you are entitled to is based on how much you actually earn.

4. Statutory Paternity Leave and pay

Fathers are not left out when it comes to the claims you have because you have a baby. By law, any working father is expected to get 2 weeks off work to help take care of the baby and while on this leave they will be paid. But you must prove the following to be able to enjoy this benefit.

(a) You must be the child’s biological or adopted father.

(b) You must be the mother’s partner.

(d) You must be in the employment of your employer when the baby is born.

(e) You should have been working 26weeks prior to 15week before the birth of the baby.

(d) Earn at least £123 weekly.

(e) You must have presented the SC3 form to your employer 15 weeks before the baby is born.

5. Shared parental leave and pay

Parents of babies are entitled to statutory mandatory shared parental leave with pay for up to 50weeks. You can get this if you are gainfully employed as well as your partner. Or if you are eligible for statutory maternity pay or adoption pay. Furthermore, you must ensure that you and your partner must return to work thereby bringing an end to either maternity or Paternity Leave.

Also, you and your partner must ensure that you have binding agreements with your respective employers on when you intend to stop your leave. Finally, to apply you need to send a letter to your employer HR that you want to take on statutory shared parental leave and pay.

6. Statutory Adoption leave and pay

This is applicable to persons who intend to adopt a baby or have one through a surrogate. Any parent in this category is allowed by the law to claim a full year off work to look after their baby with pay this can even go up to 39 weeks.

However only one of the 2 partners can claim adoption leave with pay. And you must be employed and have remained so 26weeks before you are eventually matched with a child. Or in the case of surrogacy, 15weeks before the due date. Also, your average pay should be £123 weekly.

Like all other types of leave, you must communicate with your employment company about when you want to commence your leave. You need to tell you employer within 7days of receiving information from adoption agency that they match you with a child. Surrogacy parents need to give 15week notice before the child’s due date or is born.

7. Working Tax credit

This is a payment increment on your earnings by the government if you are a low-income earner. In the event that you have a baby, and you are already benefiting from the working Tax credit, you may need to make a claim for universal credit.

Can I Claim Child Benefit if I earn £50k?

If you or your partner earns a yearly income of £50k or more, then you are considered to be high income earners, but this does not in any way make you ineligible for child benefit. I would encourage you to apply as everyone case is different, make your claim provide all the information and wait for the outcome of decision from the relevant government agency.

However, you must note that unlike low-income earners who do not have to pay tax on child benefit, you will be expected to pay back half the child benefit or in cases with more than £50k annual income you might have to pay back all the child benefit.

Though a high-income earner may not get the money for child benefit, it isn’t a totally lost cause as there is still an advantage in applying for it. The reason is that you build up your national insurance which in turn makes you eligible for full state pension. You can also try out the following tips when claiming child benefit:

You can decide to go ahead and receive the benefit and the at the end of the year you pay back whatever charge has accrued.

You can sign up for the benefit but not receive it and therefore avoid paying the tax on it.

Child Benefit Form

This article is for information purpose we are not guarantee of error and not liable for any loss do your own research. Your Comment like and share and subscribe is appreciated.