Child Benefit doesn’t automatically stop at 16 — it can continue until your child turns 20 if they stay in qualifying education or training. Here’s how the rules work.
For the wider rates, tax and claiming framework, use the main Child Benefit hub.
When Child Benefit Continues Past 16
| Situation After 16th Birthday | Child Benefit Continues? |
|---|---|
| Full-time non-advanced education (A-levels, BTECs) | Yes — until 20 |
| Approved unwaged training | Yes — until 20 |
| Leaves education/training but registers with a careers service (20-week extension) | Yes, temporarily — if working under 24 hours/week |
| Full-time work (no education) | No |
| University/advanced education | No |
| Not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and not registered for the extension | No (stops at next terminal date) |
| Apprenticeship | No (employer-funded training) |
Qualifying Education
Child Benefit continues for non-advanced education including:
| Qualification | Qualifies? |
|---|---|
| GCSEs (resits) | Yes |
| A-levels / AS-levels | Yes |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Yes |
| International Baccalaureate | Yes |
| BTECs (Level 3 and below) | Yes |
| NVQs (Level 3 and below) | Yes |
| T-Levels | Yes |
| City & Guilds (non-degree) | Yes |
| Foundation degree | No — this is advanced education |
| HNC / HND | No |
| Degree | No |
What Counts as Full-Time
The course must be full-time — HMRC defines this as more than an average of 12 hours per week of supervised study or course-related work experience. This includes:
- Classroom teaching
- Supervised practical work
- Examinations
- Tutorials
It does not include:
- Homework or private study
- Lunch breaks
- Travel time
Approved Training
Child Benefit also continues if your child is on an approved, unwaged training programme. Approved schemes vary by nation and change over time — examples include Traineeships and Jobs Growth Wales+ (Wales), the No One Left Behind programme (Scotland), and PEACEPLUS Youth Programme/Training for Success (Northern Ireland). Check the current list with HMRC or gov.uk, as approved schemes are periodically updated.
Apprenticeships do not qualify because the young person receives a wage from their employer.
The 24-Hour Work Rule Applies to the Leaving-Education Extension, Not to Studying
It’s a common misconception that a child in full-time education can work up to 24 hours a week without any effect on Child Benefit. In fact, gov.uk does not set a general weekly hours limit for part-time work done alongside full-time approved education — the key test while your child is still studying is simply whether they remain in qualifying full-time education or training (more than 12 hours/week of supervised study).
The 24-hour rule applies specifically to the separate 20-week extension available when a young person has left education or training altogether (see below): during that extension period, they must work less than 24 hours a week to remain eligible.
| Situation | Effect on Child Benefit |
|---|---|
| Still in full-time qualifying education/training, doing some part-time paid work | Child Benefit continues (based on education status, not work hours) |
| Left education/training, registered with a careers service, working under 24 hours/week | May qualify for the 20-week extension |
| Left education/training, working 24+ hours/week | Does not qualify for the extension |
Terminal Dates
When a child leaves qualifying education or training, Child Benefit doesn’t stop immediately. It continues until the next terminal date:
| Terminal Date | When It Applies |
|---|---|
| Last day of February | For children leaving between 1 September and last day of February |
| 31 May | For children leaving between 1 March and 31 May |
| 31 August | For children leaving between 1 June and 31 August |
| 30 November | For children leaving between 1 September and 30 November |
Example
Your child finishes A-levels in June 2026 and doesn’t continue to university or further training. Child Benefit continues until 31 August 2026 (the next terminal date after June).
Gap Years
If your child takes a gap year between completing A-levels and starting a new qualifying course:
- Child Benefit continues if they’re enrolled on a course starting the following academic year AND the gap is less than the period between the end of one course and the start of the next
- Child Benefit stops if they abandon education entirely
Tip: Make sure your child is enrolled on (accepted to) their next course before the gap begins, and inform HMRC.
What You Need to Do
When Your Child Turns 16
HMRC contacts you before your child’s 16th birthday to ask about their education plans. You need to:
- Complete the form HMRC sends you
- Confirm whether your child is staying in education/training
- Provide details of the course and institution
- Return the form by the deadline
If Their Plans Change
Report changes through your Personal Tax Account or by calling HMRC’s Child Benefit helpline:
- If they start a new qualifying course — inform HMRC to restart payments
- If they leave education to work — payments stop at next terminal date
- If they change from qualifying to non-qualifying education — inform HMRC
The 20-Week Extension
If your child leaves school or college at 16 or 17 and is not in education, employment, or training (NEET), and they register with the careers service (or equivalent) and work less than 24 hours a week, you may be eligible for a 20-week Child Benefit extension. You must apply within 3 months of your child leaving education or training.
This gives temporary breathing space while the young person finds their next steps. Contact HMRC to request this — it is not automatic.
Effect on Other Benefits
Child Benefit for 16-19 year olds in education also affects:
| Benefit | Effect |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | Child remains in your UC claim while you receive Child Benefit for them |
| Council Tax | Child doesn’t count for council tax purposes (students are disregarded) |
| Housing Benefit/UC housing | Bedroom still counts for the child |
| Free school meals | Available through 16-18 education providers |