Answers · UK 2025/26
How much is Child Benefit in the UK 2025/26?
Child Benefit for 2025/26 is £26.05/week for your first or only child and £17.25/week for each additional child. There is no limit on family size, but a charge applies if the higher earner has income above £60,000 (HICBC).
Full answer
UK Child Benefit rates for 2025/26 (from 8 April 2025): £26.05/week for first or only child = £1,354.60/year. £17.25/week for each additional child. Paid every 4 weeks (or weekly if single parent or on Income Support). Eligibility: you are responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if in approved education/training. Only one person can claim per child. Claim within 3 months of birth/eligibility to backdate to the start. The High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) claws back the benefit at 1% per £200 of income over £60,000 — fully clawed back at £80,000. Above the £80k threshold, families typically opt out of receiving payments but still register, so the non-earner gets NI credits towards State Pension (Child Benefit credit is automatically applied for children under 12). From April 2026 the government plans to base HICBC on household income — but this requires legislation. Specified Adult Childcare credits can transfer the NI credit to a grandparent who looks after the child.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.