Child Benefit Boost For NI Families

Families in Northern Ireland who receive Child Benefit will see an increase in their payments from next week, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced.

From Monday, 7th April 2025, the weekly payment for the eldest or only child will rise to £26.05, equating to £1,354.60 per year. For each additional child, the weekly rate will increase to £17.25, or £897 annually.

Child Benefit is typically paid every four weeks directly into a bank account, and there is no limit on the number of children parents can claim for.

HMRC is encouraging parents and carers to use the free and secure HMRC app to claim, view, and manage their Child Benefit payments. A new feature within the app now provides notifications when a claim is received and payment is made, which can be as quickly as three days.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC's Director General for Customer Services, commented: "Extra pounds count and Child Benefit can give your household budget a boost. Claiming online or managing your Child Benefit payments via the HMRC app is quick and easy so, if you haven't already, go to GOV.UK to start your claim today."

Over the past year, families have utilised the HMRC app more than six million times to manage their Child Benefit, including making new claims, updating circumstances, amending details, adding children, viewing entitlement proof, and informing HMRC about children continuing in education or training.

Since the online service was launched in May 2023, over 1.2 million parents have claimed Child Benefit through the app or digital service, with digital claims now accounting for over 87% of all claims. HMRC is advising families to claim Child Benefit as soon as possible after the birth of a child, as claims can only be backdated for a maximum of three months.

To claim Child Benefit, parents need to create an online HMRC account and will require the child's birth or adoption certificate, bank details, and National Insurance numbers for themselves and their partner (if applicable). For children born outside the UK, the child's original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document are also needed.

HMRC has also released a new YouTube video explaining the claims process for new parents.

It is important to note that if either the claimant or their partner has an individual income between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner will be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. Families in this income bracket can use the online Child Benefit tax calculator to estimate their benefit entitlement and potential charges.

In the Spring Statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced a new service aimed at reducing bureaucracy for eligible employed parents liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge. From the summer, these families will have the option to report their Child Benefit payments and pay the charge directly through their PAYE tax code, instead of completing a Self Assessment tax return. This new digital service will be optional, and those who prefer to use Self Assessment can continue to do so.

Families who previously opted out of Child Benefit payments can easily opt back in online or via the HMRC app.

Additionally, individuals in households subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge will still receive National Insurance credits if they claim Child Benefit but choose to opt out of receiving payments.