Shropshire families in line for Child Benefit increase
Families in Shropshire will benefit from the upcoming increase in Child Benefit payments from April 6, as part of a nationwide rise affecting more than 6.9 million households. Local parents are encouraged by Shropshire Council and HMRC to use the HMRC app or website to claim their Child Benefit promptly, ensuring they receive the support they are entitled to.
From 6 April, claimants will receive £27.05 per week – or £1,406.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week – or £930.80 a year – for each additional child, with no limit as to how many children parents can claim for. This is an annual increase of £52 and £33.80 respectively.
Shropshire families are in line for Child Benefit increase from April 6, and are urged to check they receive the benefits they’re entitled to
Latest figures show that while more than 6.9 million families nationally receive Child Benefit payments, only 72% of families claimed it in their baby’s first year. A Child Benefit claim can only be backdated for up to 3 months from the date your claim is received by HMRC, which means thousands of families are missing out.
HMRC has released a YouTube video explaining how new parents can make a claim.
Andy Hall, Shropshire Council portfolio holder for Children & Education, said:
“We know how challenging it can be for families, particularly during these uncertain times. I urge every family across Shropshire to check they’re getting the benefits they’re entitled to —Child Benefit can make a real difference, and we want no one to miss out on the support they deserve.”
Shropshire Council is also keen to highlight the range of support available to any Shropshire residents who are worried about paying their Council Tax. New pages on the council’s website have been developed that set out the many different ways that the council can help residents with their Council Tax, and money concerns more generally. People are urged to visit Council tax assistance | Shropshire Council
The quickest and easiest way for parents and carers to claim, view and manage Child Benefit payments is by downloading the free and secure HMRC app or by using the digital service. Since the launch of the digital service, more than 1.5 million families have gone online or used the HMRC app to claim their Child Benefit with latest figures showing almost 85% of claims are made this way.
HMRC has released a YouTube video explaining how new parents can make a claim.
Child Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks and will automatically be paid into a bank account.
App users can track their Child Benefit payments with a simple swipe. Since April 2025 more than 928,000 parents across the UK have used the HMRC app to manage their Child Benefit account, including:
- making a new claim
- updating a change in circumstances
- amending personal or bank details
- adding additional children to a claim
- viewing or printing Proof of Entitlement to Child Benefit
- telling us their children are continuing in full time, non-advanced education or approved training
To make a claim for Child Benefit, parents will need to create an online HMRC account and will need:
- child’s birth or adoption certificate
- bank details
- National Insurance number for themselves and their partner, if they have one
- child’s original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document, for children born outside the UK.
Anna Sharkey from the Money and Pensions Service, said:
“Use MoneyHelper’s free Benefits Calculator if you think you, or someone you know, might be eligible for Child Benefit. The calculator will show you all the benefits you’re eligible for.
“Other MoneyHelper tools for new parents include the Baby Cost Calculator to help you budget when having a baby, and the Baby Money Timeline which gives you key dates to help you plan your finances.
“Visit MoneyHelper.org.uk for free and impartial money guidance for everyday money management.”
Parents in receipt of Child Benefit payments, or who are making a new claim where either they or their partner have income of more than £60,000 a year, may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).
Parents eligible for the charge can use the HICBC PAYE digital service to pay the charge through their PAYE tax code rather than completing a Self Assessment tax return, if they have no other reason to file a return.
The service is available to parents who are liable for the charge, where their income exceeds the HICBC threshold. Eligible parents can register via the HMRC app or on GOV.UK.
Parents who choose to pay the charge through their Self Assessment can continue to do so.
Families who have previously opted out of Child Benefit payments can opt back in and restart their payments quickly and easily on the HMRC app or online.
A person living in a household subject to the HICBC will still receive National Insurance credits if they claim Child Benefit but choose to opt out of receiving payments.
