There are two Child Benefit rates; 1) Eldest or only child, 2) additional children. Child Benefit is a paid every 4 weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. A family with two children can claim nearly £1,800 a year in Child Benefit. You can claim Child Benefit for each child you’re responsible for, you don’t have to be their parent. (Child Benefit was previously called Family Allowance).
How much is Child Benefit?
The rates for Child Benefit in the 2017-18 tax year are:
| Who the allowance is for | Rate (weekly) |
|---|---|
| Eldest or only child | £20.70 |
| Additional children | £13.70 per child |
That’s £1,076.40 for your eldest/only child and £712.40 for additional children.
If you’re paid too much or too little, you should contact the Child Benefit Office.
How can claim Child Benefit
Any one responsible for children can claim Child Benefit. High income earners (over £50,000) are also eligible to claim Child Benefit but it’s taxable. If you’re a high income earner, use the Child Benefit tax calculator to find out how much tax you’ll have to pay.