Child Benefit goes digital

Parents in Plymouth can now, for the first time, claim their child benefits online. Payments could be made in as little as 3 days.

Parents or guardians can get Child Benefit if they are responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. There is no limit on the number of children parents can claim.

Claiming child benefit means that the parent will receive national insurance credits, which count towards their state pension. It also means their child will automatically receive a National Insurance number when they turn 16 years old, which they will need for key milestones including getting their first job, taking a driving test, and applying for university finance.

How to apply

Child benefit claims can be made on the GOV.UK website. 

Start the child benefit claim process (opens new window)

Tips for applying online

• Parents can claim child benefit from the day after a child's birth has been registered; make sure to have the birth certificate to hand when claiming.
• Create a Government Gateway account when claiming child benefit, along with a passport and other proofs of ID. This can also be done in advance of a child's birth to save time later on. A full list of the documents needed for proof of identity can be found on GOV.UK.
• When you create a new account, HMRC will send you an activation code via email. Once received, you can then apply for child benefits online.

When ready to make the claim, applicants should have the following documents to hand:

• the child's birth certificate
• your bank details
• your National Insurance number
• your partner's National insurance number (if you have a partner)

Families with adopted children or whose child's birth was registered outside the UK can claim child benefits online but will need to send additional information through the post to support their application.

Parents with children over 3 months old who have yet to claim are urged to do so as soon as possible, as they can receive up to 3 months' backdated Child Benefit. Parents with children over 6 months old may be required to download and print their completed claim form and send it through the post.