How much is Child Benefit UK 2026?

Child Benefit is £25.60 per week (£1,331/year) for your first child and £16.95 per week (£881/year) for each additional child. A family with two children receives £42.55/week or £2,213/year.

Do I have to pay back Child Benefit if I earn over £50,000?

If either parent earns over £60,000, you must repay Child Benefit in full through the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). Between £50,000-£60,000, you repay a portion. You can choose not to claim to avoid the charge.

Should I still claim Child Benefit if I'll have to pay it back?

Yes — claiming but not receiving payments protects National Insurance credits for the parent at home, which counts toward State Pension. Simply opt out of payments if you'll face HICBC, but still register the claim.

When does Child Benefit stop?

Child Benefit stops on 31 August after your child turns 16, or continues until 20 if they stay in approved education or training (A-levels, T-levels, apprenticeships don't count).

Child Benefit Calculator UK 2026 — How Much Will You Get? | PocketWise

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 2025/26

Weekly and Annual Amounts

Child	Weekly Rate	4-Weekly	Annual
First/eldest	£25.60	£102.40	£1,331.20
Each additional	£16.95	£67.80	£881.40

By Number of Children

Children	Weekly	Monthly (approx)	Annual
1	£25.60	£110.93	£1,331
2	£42.55	£184.38	£2,213
3	£59.50	£257.83	£3,094
4	£76.45	£331.28	£3,975
5	£93.40	£404.73	£4,857

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 £20.40/week if applicable

High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC)

Threshold Calculation

Highest Earner Income	Child Benefit Status
Under £50,000	Keep all benefit
£50,000 - £60,000	Partial charge applies
Over £60,000	Full charge (100% clawback)

How HICBC Works

Income Over £50,000	% Charged Back
£50,000	0%
£52,000	20%
£54,000	40%
£56,000	60%
£58,000	80%
£60,000+	100%

HICBC Calculation Formula

Charge = (Income - £50,000) ÷ £100 × 1% of Child Benefit

HICBC Examples

Scenario	1 Child	2 Children
Income £50,000	£0 charge	£0 charge
Income £52,000	£266 charge	£443 charge
Income £55,000	£666 charge	£1,106 charge
Income £58,000	£1,065 charge	£1,770 charge
Income £60,000+	£1,331 (all)	£2,213 (all)

What Counts as Income

Included	Not Included
Salary/wages	Employer pension contributions
Bonuses	Childcare vouchers
Benefits in kind	Child Benefit itself
Rental income	Dividend allowance (£500)
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	8 weeks after leaving
Starts paid work 24+ hours	When work starts

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

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
Protects up to	12 years of credits

Still Claim Even If…

Situation	Recommendation
You’d pay HICBC	Claim but opt out of payments
Your partner earns £60k+	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 weeks

Calculator: Your Family

Quick Calculator

Your Situation	Fill In
Number of children
First child rate	× £1,331
Additional children	× £881
Total annual
Highest earner income
HICBC (if over £50k)
Net annual benefit

Worked Example: 2 Children, £55,000 Income

Calculation	Amount
Child 1	£1,331
Child 2	£881
Gross benefit	£2,212
HICBC (50% of benefit)	-£1,106
Net benefit	£1,106

Break-Even Point

Children	Income Where Net = £0
1	£60,000
2	£60,000
Any number	£60,000 (same threshold)

HICBC vs Salary Sacrifice

Example: £55,000 Earner, 2 Children

Without Sacrifice	With £5k Pension
Income: £55,000	Income: £50,000
HICBC: £1,106	HICBC: £0
Tax saved: £0	Tax saved: £1,000 (20%)
NI saved: £0	NI saved: £100
Child Benefit kept	£2,212

Total Benefit of Sacrifice

Element	Gain
HICBC avoided	£1,106
Tax relief	£1,000
NI relief	£100
Pensions contribution	£5,000 saved
Total advantage	£2,206 better off

Summary

Family Size	Annual Benefit
1 child	£1,331
2 children	£2,212
3 children	£3,094
4 children	£3,975

HICBC Threshold	Action
Under £50,000	Claim and receive
£50,000-£60,000	Consider salary sacrifice
Over £60,000	Claim but opt out of payments
Always	Claim for NI credits

Child Benefit Calculator UK 2026 — How Much Will You Get?

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