Report changes that affect your Child Benefit

Tell the Child Benefit Office about any changes to your family life. If you do not, you may not get all the money you’re entitled to, or you may be overpaid and have to pay money back.

If you’ve already reported a change and you’re waiting to hear back, check when you should expect a reply.

If you do not report a change to your address, and the Child Benefit Office is not able to contact you, your payments will stop.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

If your child’s circumstances change

Child Benefit stops on 31 August on or after your child’s 16th birthday if they leave approved education or training.

Tell the Child Benefit Office if your child:

Tell the Child Benefit Office straight away if your child:

Tell the Child Benefit Office of any other changes to your child’s circumstances. Include the date of the change.

If your circumstances change

Your benefits (tax credits, for example) may be affected if your family circumstances change.

You must tell the Child Benefit Office straight away if:

Tell the Child Benefit Office of any other changes to your family life. Include the date of the change.

Other ways to report changes

You can also call or write to the Child Benefit Office.

The Child Benefit tax charge

Changes in circumstances may mean you may have to pay the Child Benefit tax charge. The charge affects you if your income (or your partner’s) is £50,000 or more.

You must still report changes even if you’ve stopped getting Child Benefit because of the Child Benefit tax charge.