Child Benefit payments rise from 6 April for more than 6.9 million families across the UK, including those in Northern Ireland. HM Revenue and Customs states the weekly rate for an eldest or only child increases to £27.05, or £1,406.60 annually. Each additional child receives £17.90 weekly, or £930.80 yearly. Annual gains total £52 for the first child and £33.80 per extra child.

Payments scheduled for 6 April arrive early on 2 April due to the bank holiday. Child Benefit pays every four weeks into bank accounts. There is no limit on claims per family.

HMRC reports only 72% of families claim in their baby's first year. Claims backdate up to three months from receipt, so delays cost thousands of parents support. Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC Chief Customer Officer, noted child care costs much, especially for newborns, and app claims take minutes to secure funds soon after birth.

The HMRC app and online service handle claims, updates, and management. Over 1.5 million families used digital claims since launch, now 85% of total. Since April 2025, 928,000 parents used the app for claims, changes, details, adding children, proof, or education confirmations.

Claims require child's birth certificate, bank details, National Insurance numbers, and for overseas births, passport. Claimants get National Insurance credits toward State Pension, even if opting out over high income. Children receive National Insurance numbers at 16. High earners over £60,000 per parent face the High Income Child Benefit Charge but can register via app or GOV.UK.

Anna Sharkey from the Money and Pensions Service advised using MoneyHelper's Benefits Calculator for eligibility checks, plus tools like Baby Cost Calculator and Baby Money Timeline.