Child Benefit 2024 - UK Payment Rates, Eligibility and How to Claim

Child Benefit 2024 provided financial support to eligible parents and guardians across the United Kingdom, helping families meet the everyday costs of raising children.

From 6 April 2024, Child Benefit payments increased by 6.7%, providing additional financial assistance for households facing rising childcare, housing, food and energy costs.

For the 2024–2025 tax year, eligible families received £25.60 per week for their eldest or only child and £16.95 per week for each additional child.

The government also introduced important changes to the High Income Child Benefit Charge, increasing the income threshold from £50,000 to £60,000 and extending the upper threshold to £80,000.

These changes meant that more working families could retain some or all of their Child Benefit payments.

For parents, homeowners and private tenants, understanding the Child Benefit rules can help with household budgeting, rental affordability and long-term family financial planning.

Fraser Bond supports families, homeowners, landlords and tenants with residential property sales, lettings and property management services across London and the wider UK.

What Was Child Benefit in 2024?

Child Benefit was a government payment available to eligible people responsible for raising children.

The benefit was administered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and paid to qualifying parents or guardians.

Payments were intended to help with the general costs of raising children, including clothing, food, school-related expenses and household bills.

Child Benefit was not means-tested in the usual way, meaning families could claim regardless of income.

However, higher-income households could be required to repay some or all of the benefit through the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

Child Benefit Rates 2024–2025

The Child Benefit rates increased on 6 April 2024.

These rates applied from 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025.

The annual equivalents assume 52 weeks of entitlement.

How Much Child Benefit Did Families Receive in 2024?

The total payment depended on the number of qualifying children.

For example, a family with two eligible children could receive £170.20 every four weeks before any High Income Child Benefit Charge.

There was no general limit on the number of children for whom a family could claim Child Benefit.

Child Benefit Increase in April 2024

Child Benefit rates increased by 6.7% in April 2024.

Before the increase, the weekly payments were £24 for the eldest or only child and £15.90 for each additional child.

The increase provided an additional £1.60 per week for the eldest child and £1.05 per week for every additional child.

For a family with two children, the combined increase was £2.65 per week.

The adjustment was intended to help maintain the value of payments against inflation.

Who Was Eligible for Child Benefit in 2024?

Child Benefit was generally available to someone responsible for a qualifying child.

The main conditions included:

• Being responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 in qualifying education or approved training.

• Meeting the relevant UK residence and immigration requirements.

• Having responsibility for the child's upbringing.

• Ensuring that only one person received Child Benefit for the same child.

Parents did not need to be employed to qualify.

Eligibility could also extend to grandparents, guardians and other people responsible for a child.

Child Benefit Age Limit in 2024

Child Benefit was normally payable until a child reached 16.

Payments could continue until the child reached 20 if they remained in qualifying full-time, non-advanced education or approved training.

Examples of qualifying education included certain A-level, T-level and equivalent courses.

University degree courses generally did not qualify.

Parents were required to inform HMRC about relevant changes in their child's education or training circumstances.

Child Benefit for 16 to 19-Year-Olds

Families with children aged 16 to 19 could continue receiving Child Benefit where the education or training conditions were satisfied.

Qualifying education generally needed to be full-time and non-advanced.

Parents had to confirm relevant education details when requested.

If a young person left qualifying education, started certain forms of employment or entered higher education, entitlement could end.

Child Benefit for Single Parents

Single parents could claim Child Benefit under the same general rules as other eligible parents.

The amount was based on the number of qualifying children rather than marital status.

For a single parent with one child, the 2024–2025 rate was £25.60 per week.

For two children, the combined weekly amount was £42.55.

Child Benefit could also be received alongside other qualifying financial support.

Child Benefit for Married Couples

Married couples and civil partners could claim Child Benefit for their children.

However, only one person could receive Child Benefit for the same child.

Where both partners were responsible for the children, they needed to decide who would make the claim.

This decision could be important where one partner had limited earnings or was not working, because claiming Child Benefit could provide National Insurance credits.

Child Benefit for Unemployed Parents

Employment was not a requirement for receiving Child Benefit.

Parents who were unemployed, working part-time or temporarily outside employment could qualify.

The benefit could provide additional financial support while parents looked after young children.

Claiming Child Benefit could also help protect future State Pension entitlement through National Insurance credits.

Child Benefit for Self-Employed Parents

Self-employed parents could claim Child Benefit if they met the relevant eligibility requirements.

However, the High Income Child Benefit Charge could apply where the claimant or their partner had adjusted net income above the relevant threshold.

Self-employed individuals needed to consider taxable profits and other relevant income when assessing their position.

Accurate financial records were important when calculating any tax charge.

High Income Child Benefit Charge 2024

One of the most significant changes introduced in April 2024 was the increase in the High Income Child Benefit Charge thresholds.

Before 6 April 2024, the charge began when an individual's adjusted net income exceeded £50,000.

For the 2024–2025 tax year, the threshold increased to £60,000.

The charge was fully phased in at £80,000.

The charge increased by 1% of the Child Benefit received for every £200 of adjusted net income above £60,000.

The calculation used individual income rather than combined household income.

Child Benefit 2024 for Parents Earning £60,000

From April 2024, a parent with adjusted net income of £60,000 or less was not liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

This represented a substantial change from the previous threshold.

For example, a parent earning £55,000 who previously faced a partial tax charge could generally retain their full Child Benefit under the revised rules, assuming adjusted net income remained below the new threshold.

Child Benefit 2024 for Parents Earning £70,000

A parent with adjusted net income of £70,000 would generally face a charge equivalent to 50% of the Child Benefit received.

For a family with one child receiving £1,331.20 over a full year, the illustrative charge would be £665.60.

The family's effective retained benefit would therefore be approximately £665.60.

The actual tax liability depended on the relevant entitlement period and individual circumstances.

Child Benefit 2024 for Parents Earning £80,000

Where an individual had adjusted net income of £80,000 or more, the High Income Child Benefit Charge generally equalled the full amount of Child Benefit received.

However, the family could still make a Child Benefit claim and opt out of receiving payments.

This could preserve access to National Insurance credits and help ensure that the child received a National Insurance number automatically before reaching 16.

How to Claim Child Benefit in 2024

Parents could claim Child Benefit through HMRC.

Applications could generally be made online or by using the relevant paper claim process.

Applicants typically needed their child's birth certificate, bank account details and National Insurance information.

Parents could apply after registering their child's birth.

HMRC reviewed the claim and arranged payment where the eligibility requirements were satisfied.

Child Benefit Application Form

The Child Benefit application form was known as CH2.

The form collected information about the claimant, the child and relevant household circumstances.

Applicants needed to provide accurate personal and financial information.

Where a child was adopted or other special circumstances applied, additional documentation could be required.

Submitting a complete application helped avoid unnecessary delays.

Child Benefit Backdating in 2024

Child Benefit claims could generally be backdated for up to three months.

This meant parents who delayed claiming could potentially recover some missed payments.

However, the backdating period was limited.

Families were encouraged to apply promptly after becoming eligible.

Special transitional rules also applied to certain claims made following the April 2024 changes to the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

Child Benefit Payment Dates in 2024

Child Benefit was normally paid every four weeks.

Payments were usually made on a Monday or Tuesday.

Some eligible claimants, including certain single parents and people receiving specified benefits, could receive weekly payments.

Bank holidays could affect the date payments reached a claimant's account.

HMRC generally paid Child Benefit directly into a nominated bank or building society account.

Child Benefit and Universal Credit in 2024

Child Benefit and Universal Credit were separate benefits.

Receiving Child Benefit did not normally reduce the amount of Universal Credit awarded.

However, Child Benefit could count towards the overall benefit cap where the cap applied.

Families could qualify for both benefits, depending on their circumstances.

Universal Credit could also include additional amounts for eligible children and help with housing costs.

Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit in 2024

Some families continued receiving Child Tax Credit during the 2024–2025 tax year.

Child Tax Credit was separate from Child Benefit.

Eligibility depended on income, household circumstances and the relevant tax credit rules.

Families receiving both benefits needed to understand how their entitlements were assessed.

The transition from tax credits to Universal Credit was also an important consideration during this period.

Child Benefit and Child Maintenance

Child Benefit and child maintenance served different purposes.

Child Benefit was a government payment made to an eligible person responsible for a child.

Child maintenance was financial support provided by a parent towards a child's upbringing.

A parent could receive both payments where the relevant conditions were satisfied.

Child maintenance received was generally disregarded when calculating Universal Credit.

Child Benefit and National Insurance Credits

Claiming Child Benefit could help protect future State Pension entitlement.

A person claiming for a child under 12 could receive National Insurance credits if they qualified.

These credits could help fill gaps in their National Insurance record.

This was particularly important for parents who stopped working or reduced their working hours to care for children.

Parents with higher incomes could still claim Child Benefit and opt out of payments while retaining relevant National Insurance credits.

Child Benefit for Grandparents

Grandparents responsible for raising grandchildren could qualify for Child Benefit.

Eligibility depended on who was responsible for the child and whether another person was already receiving the benefit.

In some circumstances, grandparents providing childcare could also qualify for specified adult childcare National Insurance credits.

These arrangements were separate from the ordinary Child Benefit payment.

Families should distinguish between responsibility for a child and providing occasional childcare.

Child Benefit for Foster Carers and Guardians

Guardians and other people responsible for children could potentially qualify for Child Benefit.

However, foster care arrangements involved additional rules, particularly where payments were made by a local authority.

Eligibility depended on the legal and financial circumstances.

Applicants needed to confirm whether another person or organisation was already receiving financial support for the child.

Child Benefit and Housing Costs

Child Benefit could help families meet general household expenses, including costs associated with housing.

However, Child Benefit was not specifically designed to pay rent or mortgage instalments.

Families needed to assess housing affordability using their full household income.

Other support, including Universal Credit housing costs or Housing Benefit where applicable, could provide more direct assistance with rent.

Child Benefit and Renting in London

Families renting in London often face substantial housing costs.

Areas such as Kensington, Chelsea, Fulham, Camden, Islington and Wandsworth can have significantly different rental prices.

Child Benefit could provide supplementary household income, but the payment alone was unlikely to cover a substantial proportion of London rent.

Parents considering a new tenancy needed to account for rent, deposits, council tax, utilities and childcare expenses.

Fraser Bond provides residential lettings and property advisory services to families seeking suitable accommodation across London.

Child Benefit and Mortgage Affordability

Mortgage lenders generally assess applicants using income, expenditure, existing financial commitments and affordability criteria.

Some lenders may consider Child Benefit as part of an applicant's income, subject to their lending policies.

However, lenders may consider the age of the children and how long the payments are expected to continue.

Parents applying for a mortgage should provide accurate details of their household finances.

Child Benefit should not be assumed to count in full towards every mortgage application.

Child Benefit for Homeowners

Homeowners could receive Child Benefit in 2024 if they met the eligibility conditions.

Owning a property did not automatically prevent entitlement.

The benefit was not subject to a conventional savings or property-value means test.

However, higher-income households could face the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

Parents should consider Child Benefit alongside mortgage payments, household maintenance and other family expenses.

Child Benefit for Private Tenants

Private tenants could claim Child Benefit under the same general rules as homeowners.

Their tenancy status did not determine eligibility.

The benefit could help with everyday living expenses, although landlords and letting agents might apply different affordability assessment policies.

Tenants should review their complete financial position before entering a rental agreement.

Child Benefit for Families Moving Home

Families moving home needed to update HMRC when relevant personal details changed.

Maintaining accurate records helped ensure that payments and official correspondence reached the correct person.

Parents moving between different parts of the UK should also consider whether changes in residence affected other benefits.

Those relocating internationally could face additional eligibility conditions.

Child Benefit in Manchester and Other UK Cities

Families in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and other UK cities received the same national Child Benefit rates during 2024–2025.

The weekly payment was not increased simply because a household lived in a more expensive area.

However, regional housing costs could affect how far the benefit stretched.

Parent