Child Benefit 2025 How Much Can You Get

Child Benefit is a form of financial support provided by the UK government to parents or guardians to help with the cost of raising children. As we move through the 2025/26 tax year, many families are keen to understand how much they can receive and, crucially, how the recently changed tax rules affect them.

While Child Benefit is designed to be universal, the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) complicates things for higher-earning households. This guide will delve into the details for 2025, providing clarity on how these payments work, who qualifies, and the critical steps every new parent must take—even if your income is high.

Understanding the Basics of UK Child Benefit

Child Benefit is a social security payment managed by HMRC (HM Revenue & Customs). Its primary purpose is to provide a regular, tax-free payment to help with the costs of child-rearing.

Payments are made regularly (usually every 4 weeks) and are not means-tested at the point of claim. This means anyone responsible for a child can receive the payment, regardless of their income or savings. However, as we will see, a tax charge (the HICBC) effectively “claws back” the payment from higher earners.

To be eligible, you must be responsible for a child who is:

• Under 16 years old.
• Under 20 years old, if they stay in approved full-time education (like A-Levels) or training.

Only one person can claim Child Benefit for a child. In the case of separated parents, it usually goes to the main caregiver.

Child Benefit Rates for 2025-2026

For the tax year 2025-2026 (which runs from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026), the weekly rates are:

• Eldest or only child: £26.05 per week
• Additional children: £17.25 per week (for each additional child)

This means a family with two children would receive £26.05 + £17.25 = £43.30 per week. Over a full year, this adds up to £2,251.60.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) Explained

This is the most complex part of the Child Benefit system. The HICBC is a tax charge that applies to households where at least one partner has an “adjusted net income” over a specific threshold.

Important: For years, this threshold was £50,000. This was widely criticised and was changed. The new thresholds for 2025/26 are:

• The charge now starts when one partner’s income exceeds £60,000.
• The benefit is tapered away and is fully clawed back when income reaches £80,000.

The taper rate is 1% of the Child Benefit for every £200 of income earned over £60,000. The partner with the higher income is responsible for paying this charge, usually via a Self-Assessment tax return.

HICBC Taper Calculation (2025/26)

Here is how the taper works in practice. If your (or your partner’s) income is…

The “Single Earner Trap” (A Key UK Issue)

The HICBC is based on the income of the single highest earner in the household, not the total household income. This creates a well-known “trap” or unfairness:

• Household A: Two parents each earn £59,000. Their total household income is £118,000. They pay no charge and keep 100% of their Child Benefit.
• Household B: One parent earns £65,000 and the other parent is a stay-at-home carer with £0 income. Their total household income is only £65,000. They must pay back 25% of their Child Benefit.

The government has acknowledged this flaw and stated an intention to move to a household-based system, but as of the 2025/26 tax year, this individual-based charge is still the law.

CRITICAL ADVICE: Why You Must Claim, Even if You Earn Over £80,000

This is the most important advice for any new parent. Many high-earning families, knowing their income is over £80,000, decide not to claim Child Benefit to avoid the hassle. This is a major financial mistake.

You must still fill in the Child Benefit claim form (Form CH2). When you do, you can “opt-out” of receiving the *payments*, so you don’t have to pay the tax charge.

Here is why this is critical:

1. State Pension Protection (NI Credits): The person who claims Child Benefit (usually the non-working or lower-earning parent) automatically receives Class 3 National Insurance (NI) credits for every week they claim, until the child is 12. These credits count towards their 35 “qualifying years” needed for the full State Pension. If you don’t claim, the stay-at-home parent gets a gap in their NI record, which could cost them tens of thousands of pounds in retirement.
2. Automatic NI Number: Claiming Child Benefit ensures your child is automatically issued a National Insurance number just before they turn 16. If you don’t claim, they will have to manually apply for one, which can be a bureaucratic hassle.

Therefore, every family should claim. You can simply tick the box to “opt-out of payments” to avoid the tax charge, while still securing the vital NI credits.

Authoritative Source: The HICBC rules are complex. You can use the official GOV.UK calculator to estimate your charge, or contact Citizens Advice for free, confidential guidance.

Use the GOV.UK Child Benefit Tax Calculator

How to Apply for Child Benefit

You should apply as soon as your child is born or comes to live with you. Claims can only be backdated for a maximum of 3 months, so do not delay.

The application process is increasingly moving online. You will need:

• The child’s birth certificate.
• Your National Insurance number.
• Your bank details (if you are *not* opting out of payments).

You can find the form (CH2) and apply on the GOV.UK Child Benefit page.

Conclusion

Child Benefit in 2025 remains a vital support for UK families. While the new High Income Child Benefit Charge thresholds of £60,000 to £80,000 are a welcome change from the old £50,000 limit, the “single earner trap” remains.

The most critical takeaway is that all parents should claim Child Benefit, regardless of their income. By claiming and “opting out” of the payments, you safeguard the non-earning parent’s State Pension, a benefit worth far more than the weekly payment itself.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the Child Benefit rates for 2025/26?

A: For the 2025-2026 tax year, the weekly rate is £26.05 for your eldest or only child and £17.25 for each additional child.

Q2: What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC)?

A: It’s a tax charge for households where one partner has an “adjusted net income” over £60,000. The charge is 1% of the benefit for every £200 earned over £60,000, meaning the benefit is fully repaid (taxed at 100%) if you or your partner earn £80,000 or more.

Q3: My partner and I both earn £59,000. Do we pay the charge?

A: No. The charge is based on the single highest earner. As neither of you is over the £60,000 threshold, you would keep 100% of your Child Benefit, even though your household income is £118,000. This is known as the “single earner trap”.

Q4: I earn £90,000. Should I bother claiming Child Benefit?

A: YES, you absolutely must. You should fill in the claim form and then “opt-out” of receiving the payments. By claiming, the parent who is not working (or earning less) will receive National Insurance credits towards their State Pension. If you don’t claim, they will get a gap in their pension record, which could cost them thousands.

Q5: How do I pay the HICBC tax charge?

A: The partner with the higher income is responsible for paying the charge. You must declare the Child Benefit received and pay the charge via a Self-Assessment tax return each year. You can also contact HMRC to have your tax code adjusted to pay it gradually through PAYE.