In this section:
- What is Child Benefit?
- Child Benefit - do you qualify?
- Child Benefit if you adopt or foster a child
- Child Benefit if your child is in care
- Child Benefit for children in hospital or residential care
- New arrivals to the UK and Child Benefit
- Child Benefit if you're living or working abroad
- Child Benefit if your child lives with someone else
Child Benefit - do you qualify?
You normally qualify for Child Benefit if you have children under 16 (or under 20 and in relevant education or training) and you live in the UK.
Who is eligible?
You may be able to get Child Benefit if your child is:
- aged under 16
- aged between 16 and 19 - up to 20 in some cases - and is in relevant education or training
- 16 or 17 years old and has recently left relevant education or training - however, they must have registered for work or training with the Careers or Connexions Service, Ministry of Defence, Department for Employment and Learning (in Northern Ireland) or an Education and Library Board (in Northern Ireland)
Child Benefit if your child is 16 or over
Fostering and adopting?
If you're adopting or fostering you may be entitled to Child Benefit for your child. If you're in the process of adopting you need to apply as soon as possible - you don't have to wait until the process is complete.
Child Benefit if you adopt or foster a child
What if your child doesn't live with you or is away from home?
Normally, your child has to live with you if you claim Child Benefit. However, you may still qualify if your child lives with someone else, is in care or in hospital including getting medical treatment abroad.
Child Benefit if your child lives with someone else
Child Benefit if your child is in care
Child Benefit for children in hospital or residential care
What if you live or work abroad?
If you live or work abroad, you may still qualify for UK Child Benefit, or you might get the child allowance of the country where you live or work.
Child Benefit if you're living or working abroad
You've only just moved to the UK
You may be entitled to Child Benefit if you've just come to the UK, but if you are subject to 'immigration control' you may not qualify.
New arrivals to the UK and Child Benefit
If your child has died
You may be entitled to Child Benefit for up to eight weeks after your child has died.
More about Child Benefit if your child dies
You look after a child whose parent has died
If you're responsible for a child who has lost one or both of their parents, you may be able to claim Guardian's Allowance as well as Child Benefit.
Find out about Guardian's Allowance
Still unsure?
If you're not sure whether or not you qualify, the Child Benefit Helpline is open between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm, seven days a week, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. If you're calling from the UK, you can contact the helpline on Tel 0845 302 1444 or textphone Tel 0845 302 1474.
If your preferred language is Welsh you can call us on Tel 0845 302 1489 and if you're calling from outside the UK it's Tel + 44 161 210 3086.
