HMRC Urges Parents to Claim Child Benefit for Christmas

HMRC urges parents to claim child benefit for Christmas to ensure families receive much needed financial support during the festive period.

I never expected to be filling out a Child Benefit form at 3am with a newborn asleep on my chest. The sleep deprivation was real, but so was the need for extra money with Christmas approaching.

Christmas always stretches family budgets. HMRC knows this, which is why they’re pushing their Christmas Child Benefit campaign so hard this year.

What is Child Benefit and Who Can Claim?

Child Benefit puts money in parents’ pockets to help with raising children. It’s not means-tested for most families, though higher earners face a tax charge (more on that later).

You qualify if you’re responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they’re still studying A-levels, NVQs up to level 3, or certain approved training programs.

Weekly rates for 2024-2025:

• £25.60 for your eldest or only child (£1,331.20 yearly)
• £16.95 for additional children (£881.40 yearly)

From April 7, 2025, rates increase slightly to £26.05 and £17.25 – a 1.7% rise.

One thing that trips up many couples: only one parent can claim Child Benefit for each child. This seemingly small detail matters hugely for pension credits. More than one mum at my playgroup discovered this too late.

Christmas Child Benefit Push – Why Now?

HMRC’s 2024 Christmas campaign targets new parents with a simple message: claim online now for cash before Christmas.

Why the festive focus? December hits wallets hard. When Myrtle Lloyd from HMRC says having a baby is “busy and expensive”, she’s stating the painfully obvious to new parents.

Behind the scenes, HMRC has another goal. They’ve spent millions revamping their digital services and need to show it was money well spent. Their stats about 87% of claims now coming through digital channels isn’t just information – it’s validation.

I bumped into Sarah from my antenatal group last week. She claimed online last December and had money in her account five days later. Her sister claimed on paper the year before and waited nearly two months. The system really has changed.

The Digital Shift in Child Benefit

Remember paper forms? HMRC does. Their Child Benefit system was completely paper-based until recently, with painful 16-week processing times.

Imagine waiting four months for your first payment while trying to afford nappies, formula, and everything else a baby needs.

Now, most claims come through HMRC’s app or website. This isn’t just slightly faster – it’s transformative. Digital claims typically process within three working days.

My colleague James applied online on a Wednesday evening after his son’s birth registration. Monday morning, the money landed in his account. No phone calls, no chasing. Just simple efficiency.

The notifications are handy too. The old paper system left you wondering if your form was sitting in a pile somewhere or actually being processed.

Getting Started with the HMRC App

I watched my sister-in-law claim on the HMRC app last month. The whole process took about 25 minutes, including setting up her Government Gateway account.

First-time users need to:

• Download from App Store or Google Play
• Create your Government Gateway ID with your National Insurance number
• Verify identity with passport or driving license
• This unlocks all HMRC services, not just Child Benefit

Once set up, claiming is straightforward. The app works offline initially, saving progress as you go. This was a lifesaver for my sister-in-law whose signal kept dropping while in the hospital.

The mobile camera feature impressed me most – it scans sort codes and account numbers directly from your card. No more typing errors.

The Government Digital Service team spent months studying how new parents use mobile apps. They discovered parents often complete forms in short bursts between feeds and nappy changes, so they designed everything to save automatically.

After submitting, you get notifications at each stage – when HMRC receives the claim, when it’s approved, and when payment is scheduled. For Christmas 2024 claims, the app even estimates if you’ll receive payment before December 25th.

Benefits You Might Miss

Most parents focus on the immediate money, but Child Benefit has two massive long-term perks that many miss.

First, the pension boost. When you claim Child Benefit for a child under 12, you receive National Insurance credits if you’re not working or earning below NI thresholds. These credits fill gaps in your NI record.

You need 35 qualifying years for a full State Pension. Missing just one year could cost thousands in retirement income.

My cousin stopped work for five years to raise her children but didn’t claim Child Benefit because her husband earned over the threshold. She lost five years of pension credits before someone told her she should claim anyway and opt out of payments. She estimates it could cost her £20,000 in lost pension over her retirement.

Second, your child automatically gets their National Insurance number just before turning 16 if you’ve claimed Child Benefit. No forms, no hassle. Without this, they need to apply separately later – extra admin nobody needs.

Child Benefit for Higher Earners

The High Income Child Benefit Charge creates confusion for many parents. The good news: the threshold jumped from £50,000 to £60,000 on April 6, 2024.

If you stopped claiming because of the old threshold, check again. You might be better off now.

The system works on a sliding scale:

• Up to £60,000: no charge
• £60,000-£80,000: gradually increasing charge
• Over £80,000: 100% charge (effectively canceling the benefit)

For every £200 earned above £60,000, you pay back 1% of your Child Benefit.

From summer 2025, things get easier. You’ll be able to pay the charge directly through PAYE instead of Self Assessment.

I’ve seen the confusion this causes firsthand. My friend Emma earns £65,000 and has two kids. Let’s break down her situation:

Her annual Child Benefit is £2,212.60 (£1,331.20 + £881.40). She’s £5,000 over the threshold, which means a 25% charge (£553.15). After paying this, she still keeps £1,659.45 plus those valuable NI credits.

Another friend, Tom, has one child and earns £75,000. His annual benefit is £1,331.20. With £15,000 over the threshold, he faces a 75% charge (£998.40). He keeps £332.80 plus NI credits.

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group notes that many families earning between £60,000-£80,000 benefit from claiming and paying the charge rather than not claiming at all, especially considering pension benefits.

Getting Your Christmas 2024 Payment

Want the best chance of payment before Christmas 2024? The process is simple:

Use digital services. The HMRC app or website processes claims within days. Paper forms take weeks or months.

Have your documents ready:

• Child’s birth certificate (though you can start without it)
• Your National Insurance number
• Partner’s NI number if married or in civil partnership
• Bank account details

Timing matters. Submit within 48 hours of registering your birth. The earlier in December 2024 you claim, the better your chances of pre-Christmas payment.

If your baby is due close to Christmas, gather everything else in advance to speed things up once they arrive.

Don’t worry too much if you miss the Christmas window. Child Benefit claims can be backdated up to three months from when HMRC receives your claim. You’ll still get all the money you’re entitled to, just not in time for Christmas shopping.

Christmas 2024 Payment Schedule

Existing Child Benefit recipients should note HMRC’s adjusted payment dates for the festive period:

Payments normally arriving on Christmas Day (Wednesday, 25 December 2024) will come early on Tuesday, 24 December 2024.

Boxing Day payments (Thursday, 26 December 2024) also arrive on Tuesday, 24 December 2024.

Payments due Monday, 30 December 2024 shift to Tuesday, 31 December 2024.

New Year’s Day payments (Wednesday, 1 January 2025) come early on Tuesday, 31 December 2024.

Just remember – when payments arrive early, they need to last longer until your next payment date. Budget carefully for this extended period.

New parents making their first claim in December won’t follow this schedule. Your payment date depends on when your application is processed.

Christmas Child Benefit FAQs

Take Action Now

I still remember my friend Hannah waiting until mid-December last year to claim for her September baby. The system was overwhelmed with Christmas applications, and her payment didn’t come through until January.

Don’t make that mistake in 2024.

The switch from paper to digital claiming creates a real opportunity for new parents this Christmas. Those extra funds could cover baby essentials or gifts for siblings.

For a two-child family, that first payment can top £42 – right when December 2024 expenses hit hardest.

The longer you delay, the more pension credits you potentially miss. This especially matters if you’ve paused your career for childcare.

Some parents I know set aside a small portion of their Child Benefit for future family experiences. With enough planning, even modest amounts can grow into family adventures – perhaps exploring luxury villas in Greece next summer or simpler local trips that create lasting memories.

HMRC urges parents to claim child benefit for Christmas not just for the immediate financial relief but for all the long-term benefits that come with making your claim.