Child Benefit UK: Rates, High-Income Charge, NI Credits and Claiming Rules Child Benefit Calculator UK 2026 — How Much Will You Get? Calculate your Child Benefit payments for 2026/27. Weekly and monthly amounts, High Income Child Benefit Charge, and how to claim.
By James Whitfield
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23 March 2026
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Last reviewed: 15 September 2026
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4 min read Child Benefit helps with the costs of raising children. Here’s how much you’ll receive and what to watch out for.
For the full picture beyond the numbers, use the main Child Benefit hub .
Child Benefit Rates 2026/27 Weekly and Annual Amounts Child Weekly Rate 4-Weekly Annual First/eldest £27.05 £108.20 £1,406.60 Each additional £17.90 £71.60 £930.80
By Number of Children Children Weekly Monthly (approx) Annual 1 £27.05 £117.22 £1,406.60 2 £44.95 £194.79 £2,337.40 3 £62.85 £272.35 £3,268.20 4 £80.75 £349.92 £4,199.00 5 £98.65 £427.48 £5,129.80
Payment Schedule Payment Type Details Standard Every 4 weeks (Monday/Tuesday) Weekly If you’re a single parent or receive certain benefits Guardian’s Allowance Additional £22.95/week if applicable (2026/27 rate)
High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) Threshold Calculation Highest Earner Income Child Benefit Status Under £60,000 Keep all benefit £60,000 - £80,000 Partial charge applies £80,000 or more Full charge (100% clawback)
How HICBC Works Income Over £60,000 % Charged Back £60,000 0% £64,000 20% £68,000 40% £72,000 60% £76,000 80% £80,000+ 100%
Charge = (Income - £60,000) ÷ £200 × 1% of Child Benefit
HICBC Examples Scenario 1 Child 2 Children Income £60,000 £0 charge £0 charge Income £64,000 £281.32 charge £467.48 charge Income £70,000 £703.30 charge £1,168.70 charge Income £76,000 £1,125.28 charge £1,869.92 charge Income £80,000+ £1,406.60 (all) £2,337.40 (all)
What Counts as Income Included Not Included Salary/wages Employer pension contributions Bonuses Childcare vouchers (via salary sacrifice) Benefits in kind Child Benefit itself Rental income Dividend allowance Savings interest ISA income Self-employment profits
Net Pay Sacrifice to Reduce Income Strategy Effect Increase pension contributions Reduces taxable income Salary sacrifice schemes Reduces taxable income Charitable giving Gift Aid reduces income Trading losses Can reduce income
Eligibility Who Can Claim Requirement Details Responsible for child Living with you or supporting them Child’s age Under 16, or under 20 if in education Residence You and child live in UK Immigration status No visa restriction on benefits
Only One Person Claims Situation Who Claims Living together Either parent (usually higher earner if HICBC) Separated Person child lives with Shared care Usually the one child spends most nights with
When Child Benefit Ends Age Limits Situation Benefit Ends Standard 31 August after 16th birthday In approved education 31 August after 20th birthday Leaves approved education At the next terminal date (last day of Feb, 31 May, 31 Aug or 30 Nov) Starts paid work instead of education At the next terminal date, unless the 20-week extension applies
Approved Education Counts Doesn’t Count A-levels University degree T-levels Paid apprenticeship Scottish Highers Employment NVQ level 3 or below Training schemes with pay BTEC Gap year (unless enrolled on a follow-on course)
National Insurance Credits Why This Matters Credit Type Benefit Class 3 NI credits Count toward State Pension Automatic If you’re the claimant No charge Free protection Applies while Youngest qualifying child is under 12
Still Claim Even If… Situation Recommendation You’d pay HICBC Claim but opt out of payments Your partner earns £80k+ You still get NI credits You’re not working Essential for pension
How to Opt Out of Payments Step What to Do 1 Claim Child Benefit 2 Choose “don’t pay” option 3 Still registered (for NI credits) 4 No payments, no HICBC
Claiming Child Benefit How to Claim Method Details Online gov.uk/child-benefit Post Form CH2 When As soon as birth registered Backdating Up to 3 months
Documents Needed Document Purpose Child’s birth certificate Proof of child Your NI number Identity Bank details For payment Partner’s details For HICBC assessment
Claim Timeline When What Happens Birth Claim as soon as registered Within 3 months Full backdating After 3 months Lose earlier payments Decision Usually within 2-12 weeks
Calculator: Your Family Quick Calculator Your Situation Fill In Number of children First child rate × £1,406.60 Additional children × £930.80 Total annual Highest earner income HICBC (if over £60k) Net annual benefit
Worked Example: 2 Children, £70,000 Income Calculation Amount Child 1 £1,406.60 Child 2 £930.80 Gross benefit £2,337.40 HICBC (50% of benefit) -£1,168.70 Net benefit £1,168.70
Break-Even Point Children Income Where Net = £0 1 £80,000 2 £80,000 Any number £80,000 (same threshold)
HICBC vs Salary Sacrifice Example: £70,000 Earner, 2 Children Without Sacrifice With £10k Pension Income: £70,000 Income: £60,000 HICBC: £1,168.70 HICBC: £0 Tax saved: £0 Tax saved: £4,000 (40%) NI saved: £0 NI saved: £200 Child Benefit kept £2,337.40
Total Benefit of Sacrifice Element Gain HICBC avoided £1,168.70 Tax relief £4,000 NI relief £200 Pension contribution £10,000 saved Total advantage £5,368.70 better off
Summary Family Size Annual Benefit 1 child £1,406.60 2 children £2,337.40 3 children £3,268.20 4 children £4,199.00
HICBC Threshold Action Under £60,000 Claim and receive £60,000-£80,000 Consider pension contributions/salary sacrifice Over £80,000 Claim but opt out of payments Always Claim for NI credits
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