A mum in her 30s holding a baby, with a toddler standing next to her looking at a laptop screen. The laptop shows a simple calculator with "£25.60/week" and "£16.95/week" in large text. Floating above: subtle icons — calendar showing "4 weeks", pound coin, child silhouette, and a small HMRC-style document.

Child Benefit Calculator 2025/26

Work out your weekly payments + check the High Income Charge trap

This is total income minus pension contributions + Gift Aid. Leave blank if under £60,000.

Child Benefit Calculator 2025/26 — Check Your Weekly Payments & Tax Charge

Having a baby or already claiming? Child Benefit is worth £1,331.20 per year for your first child and £881.40 for each other child in 2025/26. Use our free calculator to check payments and see if the High Income Charge applies.

2025/26 Child Benefit Rates

First/Eldest Child
£25.60
per week
Each Other Child
£16.95
per week

Paid every 4 weeks. High Income Charge applies if you or partner earn over £60,000.

How Child Benefit Works in 2025/26

Who Can Claim

  • You’re responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education/training
  • Only one person can claim for a child — usually the main carer
  • You don’t need to be working or have paid NI contributions
  • Grandparents, guardians, and foster parents can claim if responsible for child

How Much You Get

Children Weekly 4-Weekly Annual
1 child £25.60 £102.40 £1,331.20
2 children £42.55 £170.20 £2,212.60
3 children £59.50 £238.00 £3,094.00
4 children £76.45 £305.80 £3,975.40

Backdating: You can claim up to 3 months back from date HMRC gets your form.

High Income Child Benefit Charge — The £60k Rule

If you or your partner earns over £60,000, you pay the tax charge. It’s based on adjusted net income — your income after pension contributions and Gift Aid.

How the Charge Works

  • £60,000 income: Pay back 0% — keep full Child Benefit
  • £70,000 income: Pay back 50% — £10k over ÷ £200 = 50%
  • £80,000 income: Pay back 100% — all Child Benefit repaid via tax

Who pays: The highest earner in the household, even if they don’t get Child Benefit. You declare it on Self Assessment.

Should You Opt Out?

No. Still claim it because:

  1. NI credits: Protects your State Pension — worth £300+/year in retirement
  2. Child’s NI number: Sent automatically before age 16
  3. Tax planning: If income drops below £60k, you already have the claim

How to Claim Child Benefit

  1. Fill in form CH2 — Online at gov.uk or paper form from HMRC
  2. Send birth certificate — Original or certified copy
  3. Get decision — Usually 16 weeks, but paid from claim date
  4. Paid every 4 weeks — Into bank account

Change of circumstances: Report if you separate, child leaves education, or income crosses £60k. Do it within 1 month to avoid penalties.

Child Benefit FAQs 2025/26

Can both parents claim Child Benefit?

No. Only one person gets it per child. If you share care 50/50, you decide who claims. HMRC pays the person with “main responsibility” — usually who the child lives with most.

What if my partner earns £80k+ but I don’t work?

You should still claim. The higher earner pays the tax charge, but you get the NI credits. If you don’t claim, you lose 12+ years of State Pension credits worth £3,600+.

Does Child Benefit affect Universal Credit?

No. Child Benefit doesn’t count as income for UC, Tax Credits, or Council Tax Reduction. It’s ignored completely.

My child is 19 and at university — do I still get it?

No. Child Benefit stops at 31 August after 16th birthday, unless child stays in approved education/training. University doesn’t count. Apprenticeships may count if unpaid and under 20 hours/week.

I forgot to claim for 2 years. Can I backdate?

Only 3 months. You’ll lose the rest. Claim now — don’t wait. Form CH2 is quick online.

Will Child Benefit increase in 2026?

Rates rise each April with CPI inflation. Expect ~2-3% increase for 2026/27. We update this calculator every March.

Related Benefits for Families

If you get Child Benefit, check these too:

Disclaimer: Rates for 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026. High Income Charge based on HMRC rules. Last updated: June 2026. This is guidance only — HMRC makes final decisions.

Need help? Child Benefit Helpline: 0300 200 3100 or visit gov.uk/child-benefit