Report changes that affect your Child Benefit
If your circumstances change or you need to update your details
Report any changes that could affect your Child Benefit. If you do not, you may not get all the money you’re entitled to, or you may be overpaid and have to pay money back.
Only the person claiming Child Benefit can tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about a change of circumstances.
If you’ve already reported a change and you’re waiting to hear back, check when you should expect a reply.
Report the change to your family circumstances if:
- you move home
- your immigration status changes
- you lose the right to reside in the UK
- you have pre-settled status and are no longer eligible for Child Benefit
- you end a relationship or start a new one (for example you move in with a new partner or get married)
- you get a prison sentence of more than 8 weeks
If you do not report a change to your address and HMRC is not able to contact you, your payments will stop.
If you start to earn more than £60,000
If you or your partner earn more than £60,000 you may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
You must still report changes even if you’ve stopped getting Child Benefit because of the Child Benefit tax charge.
If your bank or building society account changes
Sign in to tell HMRC if your bank or building society account details have changed.
If you do not already have sign in details, you’ll be able to create them.
You’ll be told when you sign in if you need to prove your identity. This is to keep your details safe and usually involves using photo ID like a passport or driving licence.
You can also tell HMRC using the HMRC app.
If you change your name or gender
Tell HMRC if you change your name or change your gender.
If you start to care for another child
If you have a baby or start to care for a child you can make a new claim for Child Benefit.
If you’re paid to look after a child by a local council or agency (for example fostering) tell HMRC.
If families join together
Report the change to your family circumstances if you move in with a partner who also claims Child Benefit.
You get £25.60 for the eldest child in the household. You get £16.95 for any younger children.
You and your partner can claim for different children. If you live together, you cannot both claim at the higher rate - you may have to pay back some of the money if you do.
If you move abroad or to Northern Ireland
Report the change to your family circumstances if:
- you intend to go abroad for more than 8 weeks
- you or your partner intend to move abroad for more than a year
- you’re a Crown servant leaving the UK for a posting abroad
- you move to or from Northern Ireland
If a parent dies
Tell HMRC if either of the child’s parents have died.
Other ways to report changes
You can also call or write to HMRC.