To claim Child Benefit, you must meet the following criteria:
* You must be responsible for a child who is under 16 years old
* You must be the child's parent, step-parent, adoptive parent or guardian
* You must be living with the child in the UK for at least 80% of the time
Amount of Child Benefit
The amount of Child Benefit you receive depends on the number of children you have:
* For your first child, you will receive £21.15 per week
* For your second child, you will receive £14.40 per week
* For each subsequent child, you will receive £14.40 per week
How to claim Child Benefit
You can claim Child Benefit online or by post. To claim online, you will need to create a Government Gateway account. To claim by post, you will need to complete form CH2.
Evidence required to claim Child Benefit
When you claim Child Benefit, you will need to provide evidence that you meet the eligibility criteria. This evidence can include:
* Your child's birth certificate or adoption certificate
* Your child's passport
* Your child's national insurance number
* Proof of your income
* Proof of your address
If you are not able to provide all of this evidence, you may still be able to claim Child Benefit. You will need to contact the Child Benefit Office to discuss your individual circumstances.
Changes to your circumstances
If your circumstances change, you must notify the Child Benefit Office. This includes if your child turns 16, you move out of the UK, or your income changes.
You can contact the Child Benefit Office by phone on 0300 200 3100 or by post at:
Child Benefit Office
PO Box 1
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1YP