# Child Benefit explained: rates, claiming and High Income Child Benefit Charge > Benefits & tax · Last updated 4 July 2026 Canonical HTML: https://moneyguide.org.uk/benefits-tax/child-benefit-explained/ Markdown mirror: https://moneyguide.org.uk/benefits-tax/child-benefit-explained.md ## Quick answer Child Benefit pays a weekly amount per child — £26.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.25 for each additional child in 2025/26 (rates uprate each April). Anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education) can claim. High earners may face the High Income Child Benefit Charge via Self Assessment. Child Benefit is one of DWP's highest-volume benefits but often misunderstood — many parents stop claiming when they hit the HICBC threshold without realising they can still claim and pay the charge, preserving National Insurance credits. This guide covers rates, claiming, credits and the charge. ## Key facts - Eldest or only child: £26.05/week; additional children: £17.25/week (2025/26 — verify April uprating) - Paid every four weeks to one claimant per household — usually the lower earner for NI credit purposes - HICBC applies when adjusted net income exceeds £60,000 — full clawback at £80,000+ - Claiming builds NI credits toward State Pension for parents under State Pension age with low earnings - Child Benefit is separate from Universal Credit child elements and the two-child limit ## Who can claim and how rates work You qualify if you are responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. Only one person per household receives the payment. Rates uprate each April. The eldest or only child receives the higher weekly amount; each additional child receives the lower rate. Payments arrive every four weeks. Child Benefit continues during paid parental leave in most cases — report changes of circumstance to the Child Benefit Office promptly. ## National Insurance credits A parent registered for Child Benefit who earns below the NI lower earnings limit may receive NI credits toward State Pension — valuable if you are not paying NI through employment. The credits attach to the claimant named on the form. If the higher earner claims, the lower earner may miss credits — many families register the non-working or part-time parent. Credits apply until the child is 12 (or longer in some cases) while Child Benefit is in payment. ## High Income Child Benefit Charge If you or your partner have adjusted net income above £60,000, HICBC claws back Child Benefit through Self Assessment. Between £60,000 and £80,000 the charge tapers; above £80,000 it equals the full benefit received. You can opt out of payments to avoid the charge — but you lose NI credits unless you still register without receiving payment (form CH2 option). Living with a partner means their income counts too — even if they are not the child's parent and not the claimant. ## Child Benefit vs Universal Credit Child Benefit is not means-tested and does not count as income for Universal Credit. UC has separate child elements subject to the two-child limit for third and subsequent children born after April 2017 (with exceptions). You can receive both Child Benefit and Universal Credit if eligible — they are independent systems. ## Frequently asked questions ### Should I stop claiming if I earn over £60,000? Not necessarily — you can claim and pay HICBC via Self Assessment while preserving NI credits. Alternatively register for credits without receiving payment. ### Does Child Benefit affect my tax code? No directly — HICBC is settled through Self Assessment, not PAYE coding (unless you opt to pay through your tax code). ### Can grandparents claim? Yes, if the child lives with them and they are the main carer. Only one claimant per household. ## Primary source https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit ## Related - [High Income Child Benefit Charge](https://moneyguide.org.uk/benefits-tax/high-income-child-benefit-charge/) - [Am I eligible for Child Benefit?](https://moneyguide.org.uk/eligible-for/child-benefit/) - [Universal Credit explained](https://moneyguide.org.uk/benefits-tax/universal-credit-explained/) - [State Pension explained](https://moneyguide.org.uk/pensions/state-pension-explained/) --- Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.