HMRC says people earning under £80,000 may be 'missing out'

The rules for Child Benefit eligibility saw a significant shift last year, subsequently bringing more families into the fold. However, it seems that some parents, who are now within the range to qualify, had previously opted out of claiming the benefit.

A year since the amended regulations were introduced, HMRC has put out a call on X, particularly targeting those who might not realise they now qualify, saying: "Opted out of Child Benefit payments and earn under £80k?

"You may be missing out on support. The amount you or your partner can earn before you start paying the High Income Child Benefit charge is now £60k."

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For those who stepped away from the scheme but are now eligible, there's an online service or a form available at to restart their Child Benefit. Parents should note that the process for the benefit payments to commence could take up to 28 days from when the application is received by the Child Benefit Office.

In some cases, individuals may receive backdated payments, and the department will inform them about their entitlement including the reason and the amount to be backdated.

Receiving Child Benefit again will mean becoming accountable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge if earnings exceed the threshold. Families are encouraged to use the online Child Benefit tax calculator to understand if this applies to them.

Lastly, anyone receiving Child Benefit must alert HMRC to any change in circumstances that might alter their eligibility, such as additional children, shifts in income, or partners moving in or out of their homes. Under the previous Child Benefit rules, parents could only claim until the highest salary in the household reached £50,000.

At this point, they would be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. Once their income hit £60,000, their Child Benefit was entirely withdrawn. However, these thresholds were significantly increased last April.

Now, you can receive the full Child Benefit rate until your earnings reach £60,000. Beyond this, you'll be charged 1% of your Child Benefit amount for every additional £200 you earn above this threshold. If your income hits £80,000, the benefit will be fully withdrawn.

You may now qualify for Child Benefit if your earnings are below £80,000 and you're responsible for raising a child under 16, or under 20 if they're in approved education or training.

Only one person can receive Child Benefit payments for a child, but there's no limit to how many children a person can claim for. Currently, Child Benefit is paid at a weekly rate of £26.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.25 for each additional child.