Don’t ignore it: More than 1.4 million parents will receive a reminder to renew their child benefit payment between May 24 and July 17
Millions of parents could lose up to £1,331 a year of child benefit if they ignore a vital letter from HM Revenue and Customs this week.
More than 1.4 million parents will receive the reminder between 24 May and 17 July, asking them to renew their child benefit payments if their teenager continues their full-time education or training after their GCSEs or Scottish Nationals.
Eligible parents have until August 31 to take action or their benefit payments will be automatically suspended. Child benefit amounts to up to £1,331 a year for the first child and up to £881 a year for each additional child.
Parents earning up to £60,000 a year are entitled to the full benefit, but after this threshold the benefit decreases and they lose it completely if they earn more than £80,000.
The letters include a QR code which, when scanned with a mobile phone, directs you to the gov.uk website where you can update your claim online.
You will need a Government Gateway ID and password to use HMRC online services.
You can also renew your claim using the HMRC smartphone app.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s general director of client services, says: ‘Child benefit is an important financial support for many families, so make sure you don’t miss out.
“You can quickly and easily extend your claim online or via the HMRC app, simply search for ‘Child benefit when your child turns 16’ on gov.uk.”
a.cooke@dailymail.co.uk