Child Benefit 2026/27: Rates, the £60,000 Rule and Payment Dates

Child Benefit for 2026/27 is £27.05 a week for your eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each other child, usually paid every four weeks. That is £1,406.60 a year for one child and £2,337.40 for two. If either parent’s adjusted net income is over £60,000, the higher earner pays back 1% for every £200 above it, and all of it from £80,000. Claim anyway, even if you opt out of the payments, because the claim gives a stay-at-home parent National Insurance credits for their State Pension.

Child Benefit is the one payment almost every family in the UK can get, and it is worth more than the weekly figure suggests: two children bring in over £2,300 a year, and claiming quietly protects a stay-at-home parent’s State Pension. Here are the 2026/27 rates, how the high-income charge works, when the money arrives and the claim mistakes that cost families money.

How much is Child Benefit in 2026/27?

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The higher rate is paid for the eldest child in the household and the lower rate for every other child. There is no limit on how many children you can claim for. If you and a new partner both have children, only one of you gets the higher rate for the eldest child in the home; if you both claim it, some of the money will have to be paid back.

Child Benefit is not means-tested and does not count as taxable income, but if either parent earns over £60,000 some or all of it is clawed back through the High Income Child Benefit Charge, explained below.

Why it is worth claiming, even if you earn a lot

Claiming does three things, and only the first involves money:

• You get the weekly payments, unless you opt out of them.
• The person who claims gets National Insurance credits towards their State Pension for every year the child is under 12. This fills the gap if you stop work or earn too little to pay National Insurance.
• Your child is sent their National Insurance number automatically shortly before they turn 16.

Even if the high-income charge would take back every penny, you can claim and tick the box to opt out of the payments. You keep the credits and the automatic National Insurance number, and you can opt back in later if your income falls.

The High Income Child Benefit Charge

If either you or your partner has adjusted net income over £60,000, the higher earner pays back 1% of the family’s Child Benefit for every £200 over the threshold. From £80,000, the charge equals the whole amount. It is based on each person’s own income, not the household total, so two parents on £55,000 each pay nothing.

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Adjusted net income is your total taxable income, including savings interest, dividends and rental profit, minus certain deductions such as pension contributions and Gift Aid donations. That is why paying more into a pension can reduce or remove the charge: someone on £64,000 who adds £4,000 to a workplace pension through salary sacrifice brings their adjusted net income down to £60,000. The Child Benefit tax calculator shows your exact figure.

You can now pay the charge through your PAYE tax code instead of filing a Self Assessment return, as long as you are employed and do not need to file one for another reason. If you are over the threshold and have not been paying, tell HMRC promptly: penalties are usually lower if you come forward yourself.

When Child Benefit is paid

Payments are usually made every four weeks, on a Monday or Tuesday, straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. Single parents, and families getting certain benefits such as Universal Credit, can ask to be paid weekly instead. To work out your next date, count four weeks forward from your last payment, which shows on your bank statement as “HMRC Child Benefit”.

Your first payment can take up to 12 weeks to arrive, but it is backdated. If a payment is late, check the bank holiday payment dates and your bank first, then contact the Child Benefit Office.

How to claim

1. Register the birth. In England and Wales you have 42 days, in Scotland 21 days, and in Northern Ireland 42 days.
2. Claim online or through the HMRC app, from 48 hours after registering the birth. You need your child’s birth certificate if you have it, your bank details and your National Insurance number, and your partner’s if you have one.
3. Decide who claims (see the pension credits point above) and whether to opt out of the payments.
4. Watch for your award notice. It tells you when your first payment is due.

You can claim for a child who is adopted as soon as they come to live with you, for a foster child if the council is not paying towards their keep, and for a friend’s or relative’s child you look after informally. Only one person can get Child Benefit for any child; if two people claim, HMRC decides.

When your child turns 16

Child Benefit normally stops on 31 August after your child’s 16th birthday. It continues up to age 20 if they stay in approved education or training, such as A levels, T levels, NVQs up to level 3 or certain unpaid training, but not university or an apprenticeship in England. HMRC writes to you before they turn 16, and you need to tell them about their plans or the payments stop.

If a 16 or 17 year old leaves education and registers with a careers service or the armed forces, you can ask for Child Benefit to carry on for 20 weeks while they look for work or training.

Changes you must report

• Your child moves out, goes into care or spends a long time in hospital.
• A new partner moves in or you separate, as it changes who gets the higher rate.
• Your child stays on in education after 16, or leaves it.
• You change bank account, move house or go to live abroad.

Budgeting for the first years? Our guides to statutory maternity pay, the £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant, 30 hours free childcare and Tax-Free Childcare cover the other big numbers.

Quick questions about Child Benefit

How much is Child Benefit a month in 2026?

Payments are four-weekly rather than monthly. For one child it is £108.20 every four weeks, which averages about £117 a calendar month. For two children it is £179.80 every four weeks.

Is Child Benefit going up in 2026?

It rose on 6 April 2026 to £27.05 a week for the eldest child and £17.90 for each other child. Rates are normally reviewed each April.

Does Child Benefit affect Universal Credit?

No. Child Benefit is paid on top of Universal Credit and is not counted as income for it, although it does count towards the benefit cap.

Can both parents claim Child Benefit?

Not for the same child. Only one person can claim for each child, but separated parents can each claim for a different child.

What is the Child Benefit threshold for 2026/27?

The High Income Child Benefit Charge starts when one parent’s adjusted net income goes over £60,000 and takes back all of it at £80,000.