As students are sitting their GCSE exams across the country, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is asking parents to contact them. Parents who don’t contact them could be at risk of losing their Child Benefit payments. Child Benefit typically continues until August 31 following a child’s 16th birthday or until they leave education or training.

If further education plans are not reported to HMRC, parents could lose their payments. Writing on X (formerly known as Twitter), HMRC said: “It’s #GCSE season! If your teen is continuing education or training after their exams, you’ll need to let us know.

“Use our online service to update your Child Benefit claim to keep receiving payments.” In the final school year, parents might receive a HMRC letter, asking for confirmation of their child’s future education or training.

Full list of approved education and training for Child Benefit

Eligibility for Child Benefit does not extend to all forms of education and training. Qualifying education and training for Child Benefit includes programmes with over 12 hours a week of supervised study or course-related work experience during training.

Parents who want to keep receiving Child Benefit after GCSE exams are over must inform HMRC beforehand.

Approved courses include:

Some forms of education and training are not covered by Child Benefit, including:

• BTEC Higher National Certificate courses
• University degrees
• An Apprenticeship (excluding Foundation Apprenticeships for Wales)
• Training courses that are part of a job contract
• Employer agreement course that is part of getting the skills for a job they’re already in

How to contact HMRC

You can update HMRC on your child’s education or training online with Government Gateway. You must have an account set up before doing this.

In the event you cannot use the online service, you can contact on the phone by dialling 0300 200 3100 but you will need to have your National Insurance Number. You can also contact HMRC through the post at the following address:

HM Revenue and Customs — Child Benefit Office
PO Box 1
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE88 1AA
United Kingdom