Seven million families to gain from huge change to child benefit – here’s what it means for you
MILLIONS of families can now benefit from a huge change to child benefit.
HMRC, which pays the benefit, has updated its smartphone app and introduced a child benefit section.
Child benefit customers now view and update their bank account details quickly and easily using the HMRC app.
They can also report changes that affect their payments to Gov.UK.
It means that customers are no longer forced to sit and wait to speak to an operator through the HMRC hotline.
In the app, customers can go to the child benefit section and select "change bank details".
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Using the new online service, customers' bank details can be viewed and updated instantly with no need to contact HMRC.
But if you do change your bank account details, payments that are due within three days will be credited to your previously listed bank account.
There are two steps you need to take to use the HMRC app for the first time.
Once set up, customers can log in using a pin, fingerprint or with facial recognition.
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You can download the free HMRC app from the App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android.
Once installed, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the app settings.
Customers will be asked to sign into their account and can sign in or register on the same sign-in page if they have not used HMRC's online services before.
What is child benefit and who is eligible?
Child benefit is paid to parents to help with the costs of childcare.
Payments are usually made to you from the government every four weeks.
By claiming child benefit you also get National Insurance credits that count towards your state pension.
There are two different rates for child benefit.
Currently, parents can claim £24 per week for their first or only child - £96 a month and £1,248 a year.
For any additional children they can claim an extra £15.90 a week per child - £63.60 a month and £826.80 a year.
You normally qualify for child benefit if you live in the UK and are responsible for a child under 16.
But you can also claim the support for a child under 20 if they are in approved education or training.
When two or more people share the responsibility of caring for a child, it can only be claimed by one person.
You'll be responsible for a child if you live with them or you are paying at least the same amount as child benefit towards looking after them.
This might mean you are paying the equivalent amount of child benefit on food, clothes or pocket money.
You should bear in mind, eligibility changes if a child goes into hospital or care and if your child starts to live with someone else.
Usually, you get child benefit for eight weeks after your child goes to live with a friend or relative - as long as they don't make a claim.
But it can continue for longer if you make contributions to your child's upkeep.
Foster parents can also claim child benefit, as long as the council is not paying anything towards their accommodation or maintenance.
Legal guardians or parents adopting a child can also apply for the benefit, but the child has to be living with them.
You will only be able to claim for a short period of time if you leave the UK, for example if you go on holiday or for medical treatment.
For anyone not sure about eligibility, you can contact the Child Benefit Office.
What is the high income child benefit charge?
If either parent or carer starts earning over £50,000, they have to start paying the high income child benefit charge.
This means you have to pay back 1 per cent of your child benefit for every £100 of income earned over the £50,000 threshold.
Once you reach £60,000 of yearly income you have to repay the full amount of child benefit received.
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Parents have been caught out by the complicated rules and extra charge and landed with bills for thousands of pounds.
It's up to parents to notify HMRC if they are liable for the charge and they must file a self-assessment tax return to pay it.