Child Benefit calculator.
See how much Child Benefit you can claim for each child you're responsible for, and whether the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) reduces it. April 2025 rates, applied automatically. No data leaves your browser.
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Who can claim Child Benefit
Child Benefit is paid to one parent or carer for each child or qualifying young person they're responsible for. You can claim it if:
- You're responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they remain in approved education or training.
- You're "ordinarily resident" in the UK and have the right to reside.
- You haven't been subject to immigration control (a few exceptions apply for refugees and certain visa categories).
Only one person can claim for a given child. Usually it's the parent who lives with the child most of the time. If parents share care equally, they need to agree which of them claims — it can't be split.
Why you should claim, even if you don't want the money
If your or your partner's income is over £80,000, the High Income Child Benefit Charge will fully cancel the benefit out. It might feel pointless to claim. It isn't. Claiming triggers National Insurance credits for the parent at home with the child — vital for protecting your State Pension if you take time out of paid work.
You can claim Child Benefit and then immediately opt out of payment: you'll get the NI credits but no money will hit your bank account, so no HICBC applies. Many higher earners do exactly this.
The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC)
If the higher earner in your household has an "adjusted net income" over £60,000, some or all of the Child Benefit is taken back as a tax charge. From the 2024/25 tax year onwards:
- The charge starts at £60,000 (up from £50,000 in 2023/24).
- It tapers at 1% of Child Benefit for every £200 of income above £60,000.
- At £80,000, the charge equals 100% of the Child Benefit you received — i.e. you get nothing on net.
"Adjusted net income" means total taxable income, minus pension contributions and Gift Aid. So a pension salary-sacrifice can keep you below the threshold and is one of the simplest ways to plan around the charge.
How HICBC is paid
The higher earner pays the charge, even if the other partner receives the Child Benefit. You declare it on a Self Assessment tax return, or — from 2025 — through your tax code via HMRC's PAYE system (a change that meant tens of thousands of higher-rate taxpayers no longer need to register for Self Assessment just for HICBC).
If you've never filed a Self Assessment but earn over £60,000 and your household claims Child Benefit, you need to either register, opt for the PAYE route, or opt out of payment. HMRC catches non-payers a couple of years later — the resulting penalties can dwarf the original charge.
| Child | Weekly amount | Annual amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eldest or only child | £26.05 | £1,354.60 |
| Each additional child | £17.25 | £897.00 |
Frequently asked questions.
How much is Child Benefit in 2025/26?
£26.05/week for the first child and £17.25/week for each additional child. That works out to £1,354.60 a year for a one-child household and £2,251.60 for a two-child household, paid every four weeks.
Is Child Benefit affected by Universal Credit?
No. Child Benefit and UC are entirely separate. Receiving UC does not reduce your Child Benefit, and Child Benefit does not count as income when calculating UC.
What is the High Income Child Benefit Charge?
A tax charge that claws back Child Benefit if the higher earner in the household has an adjusted net income above £60,000. It tapers fully out at £80,000, where the charge equals 100% of the Child Benefit received.
Should I still claim if my partner earns over £80,000?
Yes — and then opt out of payment. Claiming gets you National Insurance credits, which protect your State Pension if you're the parent at home with the children. Opting out of payment means no money to repay through HICBC.
When does Child Benefit stop?
It usually stops on 31 August after your child's 16th birthday. If your child stays in approved education or training (A-Levels, T-Levels, NVQs to level 3, apprenticeships at a junior level), you can claim until age 20.
Can both parents claim Child Benefit?
No. Only one person can claim for a given child. If parents separate, the claim usually goes to the parent the child lives with most of the time, or by agreement if care is shared equally.
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