Answers · UK 2025/26
What is the Child Benefit rate in 2026/27?
Child Benefit is £27.05 per week for the first child and £17.90 per week for each additional child in 2026/27, paid every 4 weeks tax-free directly into your bank account.
Full answer
Child Benefit is a government payment available to anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they remain in approved education or training). **2026/27 weekly rates (uprated by CPI April 2026):** - First child: **£27.05/week** (£1,406.60/year) - Each additional child: **£17.90/week** (£930.80/year) Payments are made every 4 weeks directly to the claimant's bank account. There is no limit on the number of children you can claim for. **Eligibility:** - You are responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in full-time non-advanced education or approved training). - You (or your partner) must be ordinarily resident in the UK. - Only one person can claim per child. **High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC):** If either you or your partner has adjusted net income above **£60,000**, you must pay back 1% of Child Benefit for every £200 of income above £60,000. The charge fully claws back the payment when income reaches £80,000. This taper was introduced in April 2024 (previously it started at £50,000 and was fully withdrawn at £60,000). **How to claim:** Claim online via GOV.UK or by completing form CH2. Claims can be backdated by up to **3 months**, so claim as soon as your child is born or comes to live with you. **Important:** Even if you expect to face the HICBC, it can still be worth claiming Child Benefit — your child automatically gets a National Insurance number at 16, and you build qualifying years toward the State Pension if you are not working.
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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.