Child Benefit Rates for 2026/27: First Child vs Additional Children

£27.05 a week, worth £1,406.60 over a full 52-week year.

£17.90 a week per additional child, worth £930.80 a year each, for every child after the first.

£27.05 (first child) + £17.90 (second child) = £44.95 a week, or £2,337.40 a year.

£27.05 + £17.90 + £17.90 = £62.85 a week, or £3,268.20 a year.

Yes, in a blended or separated family, HMRC rules determine which parent can claim for which child, generally based on who has main responsibility for each child — this can affect whether a child counts as a 'first' or 'additional' child within a specific claimant's award, so check individual circumstances with HMRC or a tax adviser if the family structure is complex.

It can be, if either parent's individual adjusted net income exceeds £60,000 — the charge tapers the effective benefit down to zero by £80,000 of income, though the underlying weekly rates in this guide are unaffected by the charge itself, which only affects what a higher earner keeps after tax.

Typically annually each April, usually in line with the September CPI inflation figure from the previous year, though the government confirms the exact rates each year rather than being bound to inflation by law in the same way as the State Pension triple lock.

No — once claimed, Child Benefit continues automatically (subject to eligibility, such as the child remaining in approved education or training up to age 19-20) without needing an annual reapplication, though you should update HMRC of any change in circumstances.