Child Benefit After Age 16 — Rules for Older Children

Child Benefit doesn’t automatically stop at 16 — it can continue until your child turns 20 if they stay in qualifying education or training. Here’s how the rules work.

When Child Benefit Continues Past 16

Qualifying Education

Child Benefit continues for non-advanced education including:

What Counts as Full-Time

The course must be full-time — usually defined as more than 12 hours per week of supervised study. This includes:

• Classroom teaching
• Supervised practical work
• Examinations
• Tutorials

It does not include:

• Homework or private study
• Lunch breaks
• Travel time

Approved Training

Child Benefit also continues if your child is on an approved, unwaged training programme, such as:

• Government-funded training schemes
• Traineeships
• Foundation Learning programmes
• Prince’s Trust courses

Apprenticeships do not qualify because the young person receives a wage from their employer.

The 24-Hour Work Rule

Your child can work part-time alongside their studies without affecting Child Benefit, but:

The 24-hour limit counts paid employment only, not voluntary work.

Terminal Dates

When a child leaves qualifying education or training, Child Benefit doesn’t stop immediately. It continues until the next terminal date:

Example

Your child finishes A-levels in June 2026 and doesn’t continue to university or further training. Child Benefit continues until 31 August 2026 (the next terminal date after June).

Gap Years

If your child takes a gap year between completing A-levels and starting a new qualifying course:

• Child Benefit continues if they’re enrolled on a course starting the following academic year AND the gap is less than the period between the end of one course and the start of the next
• Child Benefit stops if they abandon education entirely

Tip: Make sure your child is enrolled on (accepted to) their next course before the gap begins, and inform HMRC.

What You Need to Do

When Your Child Turns 16

HMRC contacts you before your child’s 16th birthday to ask about their education plans. You need to:

1. Complete the form HMRC sends you
2. Confirm whether your child is staying in education/training
3. Provide details of the course and institution
4. Return the form by the deadline

If Their Plans Change

Report changes through your Personal Tax Account or by calling HMRC’s Child Benefit helpline:

• If they start a new qualifying course — inform HMRC to restart payments
• If they leave education to work — payments stop at next terminal date
• If they change from qualifying to non-qualifying education — inform HMRC

Effect on Other Benefits

Child Benefit for 16-19 year olds in education also affects:

Related Guides

• Child Benefit Guide
• Child Benefit Rates 2026-27
• Child Benefit and NI Credits
• Child Benefit for Single Parents