Parents in Northern Ireland with teenagers turning 16 must extend Child Benefit claims by 31 August to maintain payments. The payments stop automatically unless families confirm the child will enter full-time non-advanced education or approved unpaid training from September.

HM Revenue and Customs contacts around 1.5 million parents across the UK with reminder letters sent from late April and arriving from 8 May. The online service to renew claims opened on 1 April. Families need not wait for letters.

Payments provide £27.05 weekly or £1,406.60 yearly for the first or only child. Each additional child receives £17.90 per week. Last year 874,000 parents extended claims with more than half using the HMRC app or online.

Full-time non-advanced education requires over 12 hours weekly of supervised study or related work experience. Approved unpaid training qualifies. Home schooling counts in some cases. Flexibility exists for young people with illness or disability.

Claims do not extend for paid job-linked courses including some apprenticeships. Parents reconfirm only for new September courses or training. Previously approved ongoing courses require no action.

A high income charge applies if one parent earns £60,000 to £80,000 annually. Parents can use the GOV.UK tax calculator to check. HMRC warns of scams with fake QR codes and directs reports to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.

The HMRC app lets users manage claims view payments and update details.