Hundreds of thousands of parents could have their child benefit withdrawn within a few hours if they do not act today

Hundreds of thousands of parents could have their child benefit payments withdrawn within a few hours if they do not act today.

August 31 is the deadline for parents of 16- to 19-year-olds to extend their entitlement. If they do not do so, their money will be cancelled.

Most parents in the UK are entitled to this benefit, which can top up their income by thousands of pounds each year.

However, parents of 16-year-old children continuing full-time education must notify the Government by the end of today or they will no longer receive child benefit.

This is because payments automatically end on August 31, i.e. after your child's 16th birthday, if he or she drops out of school or training.

If your child continues in their recognised education or training, including completing A-Levels or Scottish Highers, you can still receive the money.

Child benefit is £25.60 for your eldest child and £16.95 for each additional child.

This amounts to £1,331.20 per year for the older child.

So if your child stays at school for two more years, for example if they choose to study the International Baccalaureate or A-levels, you could be missing out on £2,662.40 in free cash.

HMRC wrote to 1.5 million parents between May and July this year to remind them of the deadline and to inform them that more than 522,000 parents have extended their entitlement so far.

Some families can also apply for an extension of child benefit when their children's education ends.

The training must be full-time (more than an average of 12 hours of supervised study or study-related work experience per week) and may include:

• A Levels or equivalent qualifications, e.g. Pre-U, International Baccalaureate
• T-values
• Scottish Highers
• NVQs and other professional qualifications up to level 3
• Home schooling – if it started before your child’s 16th birthday or after their 16th birthday if your child has special needs
• Internships in England

Approved training should be unpaid and may include:

• In Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ programme
• In Scotland: the “No One Left Behind” programme
• In Northern Ireland: PEACE IV Children and Young People 2.1, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work

Some families can also apply for an extension of child benefit when their children's education ends.

You could receive 20 weeks of child benefit if your child leaves an approved school or training course and either:

• Register with your local careers service, Connexions (or a similar organisation in Northern Ireland, the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein).
• Registers to join the armed forces

Households can apply for the extension from Gov.UK or by calling HMRC on 0300 200 3100 – see below for more information.

How do I extend my child benefit?

You can update your Child Benefit records either through GOV.UK or by returning Form 297b, which should have been sent to you by HMRC.

Guardians or adoptive parents can also apply for funding as soon as the child comes to them.

To use the online service, you need a Government Gateway user ID and password.

If you do not have a User ID, you can create one when using the Service.

Once you have notified HMRC, you do not need to update the information unless your child's situation changes.

Instead, you will receive payment until you complete your training or until you reach the age of 20.

If your child starts working, you will no longer be entitled to benefits.

What is child benefit and who is entitled to it?

Child benefit helps parents with the costs of childcare.

Payments from the state are usually made to you every four weeks.

By claiming child benefit, you will also receive social security contributions that will be credited towards your state pension.

You are normally entitled to child benefit if you live in the UK and are responsible for a child under the age of 16.

But you can also apply for funding for a child under 20 years of age if he or she is in a recognized training course.

If two or more people share responsibility for caring for a child, this responsibility can only be assumed by one person.

You are responsible for a child if you live with him or her or if you pay at least the same amount as child benefit for the care of your child.

This may mean that you spend the corresponding amount of child benefit on food, clothing or pocket money.

You should remember that eligibility changes if a child goes into hospital or care, or if your child lives with someone else.

Normally, you will continue to receive child benefit for eight weeks after your child moves to live with a friend or relative – unless the friend or relative claims it.

However, it can also be continued for a longer period if you contribute to the maintenance of your child.

Foster parents are also entitled to child benefit, provided that the municipality does not pay contributions for the parents' accommodation or living expenses.

Guardians or adoptive parents can also apply for the benefit. However, the prerequisite is that the child lives with them.

If you leave the UK, for example to go on holiday or for medical treatment, you will only be able to claim for a short period of time.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, you can contact the child benefit office.

Child benefit

Everything you need to know about child benefit:

Do you have a money problem that needs solving? Contact us by emailing [email protected].

You can also join our Facebook group Sun Money Chats and Tips to share your tips and stories