Millions of families in line for Child Benefit rate increase - GOV.UK
Families claiming Child Benefit will see an increase in payments from next week.
www.gov.ukDirect answer: The latest news indicates that Child Benefit payments have been increasing in the UK, with the rate rise taking effect from early April 2026 for eligible families. For example, the eldest/only child rate rose to £27.05 per week and the rate for additional children to £17.90 per week, with claims encouraged to be made via the HMRC app or online.[3]
Key details you might find helpful:
- Who gets the increase: More than 6.9 million families receiving Child Benefit, as announced by HMRC, with adjustments taking effect from 6 April 2026.[3]
- Payment amounts: Eldest or only child £27.05/week (£1,406.60/year); additional child £17.90/week (£930.80/year). These reflect an annual uplift of £52 for the first child and £33.80 for each additional child.[3]
- Claim methods: HMRC recommends using the HMRC app or the online service to claim and manage payments, which can help avoid delays or missed payments.[3]
- Context on broader policy: There has been ongoing coverage about changes to benefit structures (including lifting two-child limits in related discussions), but the current notable update centers on these 2026 rate increases and streamlined digital claims.[2][7]
Illustration:
- If you have two children, the first child would receive £27.05/week and the second £17.90/week, totaling £44.95/week before any other adjustments or caps apply, assuming eligibility.[3]
Citations:
- HMRC announcement and payment details for 2026 Child Benefit rate increase.[3]
- Related coverage on policy context and digital claims adoption.[2]
- Additional UK-focused summaries and confirmations of the 2026 rate change.[1][7]