Child Tax Credit is paid to help people with the costs of bringing up a child. 

Only one household can get Child Tax Credit for each child.

You don’t need to be working to get Child Tax Credit.

Child Tax Credit does not include any help with the costs of childcare. If you are already getting tax credits and you are working on a low income, you may be entitled to Working Tax Credit and this benefit can include help with childcare costs.

You can’t claim tax credits and Universal Credit at the same time. Child Tax Credit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Please go to 'Can I get Child Tax Credit?' for information on who can still claim.

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Age rules: You can get Child Tax Credit if you are 16 or over.

If you are under 16 your parents, or someone who is responsible for you, could include you and your child in their own claim.

Type of benefit: Means tested

Taxable: No

Administered by: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

Reviewed: May 2022

Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit

Child Tax Credit is being replaced by Universal Credit. You will only able to get Child Tax Credit if you are already getting Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit. Otherwise, if you want extra money to help with the costs of raising children, you will have to get it through Universal Credit (if you or your partner are below pension age), or Pension Credit (if you and your partner are both over Pension age).

You can find out whether you can make a claim for Child Tax Credit by using our Benefits Calculator or by seeking advice.

If you are on Child Tax Credit and your situation stays the same, you won’t have to claim Universal Credit at present. The government started transferring a small number of people over to Universal Credit in May 2022 and it aims to complete this process by March 2025.

Who can get Child Tax Credit?

You can get Child Tax Credit if you are on Tax Credits (Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit) at present, unless you claim Universal Credit.

In addition:

• You are 16 or over, and
• You are responsible for at least one child.

The child must be:

• under 16, or
• aged between 16 and 20 and in relevant education or approved training.

You can find out more about what you need to do when your child turns 16 at Gov.UK: Child Tax Credit when your child reaches 16

If you have a child aged between 16 and 19 included in your Child Tax Credit claim, make sure that you tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) each year by 31 August whether they are still in relevant education or approved training. If you don't, the child will be removed from your claim and your award will be reduced or stopped.

What happens to my Child Tax Credit if I start a new relationship?

If you claimed tax credits as a single person and you later have a partner who joins your household, you will have to close down your single claim for tax credits. If you still want to get money to help with the cost of raising children, you will have to get it through Universal Credit. 

What happens to my Child Tax Credit if I separate from my partner?

If you made a joint claim for tax credits as a couple and you later separate, you will have to close down your joint claim for tax credits. If you still want to get money to help with the cost of raising children, you will have to get it through Universal Credit. 

Updated: May 2022

It is complicated to work out how much Child Tax Credit you might get.

A maximum amount is made up of different parts based on your personal circumstances:

• Family Element if you are responsible for a child or qualifying young person born before 6 April 2017
• Child Element for your first and second child or qualifying young person (and any other children born before 6 April 2017 or who qualify for an exception to the Two Child Limit)
• Disabled Child Element if your child or qualifying young person is disabled (paid at either the disabled child rate or severely disabled child rate depending on what disability benefits you receive for your child).

This amount is then compared to your annual income. Savings do not affect your claim but interest from savings is included as income.

Our Benefits Calculator can calculate how much Child Tax Credit you may be entitled to.

Benefit Cap

Child Tax Credit is included in the Benefit Cap which limits the total amount in some benefits that working-age people can receive. See our Benefit Cap guide.

Two Child Limit

From 6 April 2017, the number of Child Elements that are included in your Child Tax Credit is limited to two children for children born on or after 6 April 2017. You will get the child element for all children born before 6 April 2017.

If you have or become responsible for a third (or more) child born on or after 6 April 2017, you will not get a Child Element for them unless an exception applies - see our information on Two Child Limit Exception.

If you think an exception might apply, you should claim it as soon as possible, as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) say they will only backdate it one month from when you tell them an exception applies.

Remember to tell HMRC about all of your children even if you will not receive a Child Element for them. You may still get other elements for them like the Disabled Child Element or the Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit.

How will I be paid Child Tax Credit?

Child Tax Credit will be paid directly into your bank, building society or through the Payment Exception Service if you are unable to open or manage one of these or a similar account.

Child Tax Credit is usually paid every four weeks. However, you can ask HMRC to pay it to you weekly.

Child Tax Credit and other benefits

Child Tax Credit will not reduce the amount you get for:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit

Child Tax Credit only counts as income for Housing Benefit if you are not getting any of the above benefits.

You cannot get Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit at the same time.

Reviewed May 2022

If you are already getting tax credits and you need to change your claim, for example because you are receiving Working Tax Credit and want to claim Child Tax Credit, you can contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Tax Credits office by phone or manage your tax credits online.

• Telephone: 0345 300 3900 (or the Relay service 18001 0345 300 3900)
• Online: Gov.UK: Manage Your Tax Credits

Remember that your tax credits claim has to be renewed every year by 31 July. If you do not renew your claim, your tax credit payments may stop and you may have to pay some tax credits back. See Gov.UK: How to Renew your Tax Credits

What documents will I need to claim Child Tax Credit?

When you make a claim for Child Tax Credit, you may be asked for:

• Your national insurance number. If you do not have a national insurance number, send in the claim form anyway to avoid delays
• Proof of your identity, for example birth certificate, passport or driving licence
• Proof of your annual income, for example, P60, bank statements or pay slips.

If you qualify for an exception to the Two-Child Limit, you may also be asked for other documents, for example:

• Adoption certificate
• Social worker’s declaration (for kinship care placements)
• Support worker’s declaration (for children conceived as a result of rape).

See Gov.UK: How to qualify for an exception to the Two Child Limit

Change of circumstances

Child Tax Credit is paid on a year by year basis but it is very important to tell HMRC about changes in your circumstances during the year which could affect the money you get. You must tell them about some changes within one month.

See Gov.UK: Changes that affect your Tax Credits

You can report changes of circumstances to HMRC by post, phone or online.

• Post: HM Revenue and Customs, Tax Credit Office, BX9 1ER
• Telephone: 0345 300 3900
• Relay UK: 18001 0345 300 3900
• Online: Gov.UK: Manage your Tax Credits

Reviewed: May 2022

If you disagree with the decision made on your claim, you can usually ask for it to be looked at again. This is known as a 'mandatory reconsideration'. If you still disagree with the further decision, you can then appeal to an independent tribunal.

The time limits are strict, you will usually be given 30 days to challenge a decision, so it is important to seek advice and act quickly.

Further information on Challenges and complaints

Reviewed: May 2022