Around 700,000 families are at risk of losing their child benefit payments unless they act quickly, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The payment can be a lifeline for some parents or carers, however, those caring for young people aged 16 - 19 could be at risk of having their money stopped.
Worth up to £21.80 a week, the payment is offered to those responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they are in full-time non-advanced education or approved training. However, once a young person gets to 16 that money could stop unless you take action.
HMRC says parents and carers of 16 to 19-year-olds have just one week left to confirm whether their teenager is staying in full-time education or approved training. The government department says it has written to 1.3 million parents and carers of children who are in the last year of school or education to remind them to update their Child Benefit records. However, only 600,000 families have notified HMRC so far.
