What is Child Benefit?

Child Benefit is a non-means tested, non-contributory benefit paid to a person who is responsible for a child. The benefit is paid for each child under 16 and for young people ages 16-18 if they are in full-time non-advanced education. A higher amount of benefit is paid for the oldest eligible child.

When does the benefit stop?

At 16, if the young person is not in full-time non-advanced education when they reach 16. For young people who leave education when they are 16 the benefit end date is the 1st Monday in September. If they leave school or college at 17-18 the end date depends on when they leave.

Child Benefit will also stop...

• When the young person reaches the age of 19.
• If, after the age of 16 they leave school or college, or reduce the time they study so that they are no longer in full-time non-advanced education.
• If a young person becomes an employed trainee or starts work-base training (Modern Apprenticeships).
• If a young person starts to receive Income Support, income based Job Seekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance.
• If they start a course in Higher Education.

Can it continue?

After the benefit end date, the benefit can continue to be paid for a short time for young people aged 16-17 if they have registered at a Connexions Centre and are available for work and training. Child Benefit is only available during this extended period if applied for.

What about restarting?

If a young person who has left school/college returns to full-time non-advanced education before they are 19, Child Benefit can start again.

For more information see the website below.