![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hmrc-opening-tax-letter-862052963.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMILLIONS of families can now benefit from a huge change to child benefit.<\/p>\n
The HMRC, which pays the benefit, has updated its smartphone app and introduced a child benefit section.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Child benefit customers now view and update their bank account details quickly and easily using the\u00a0HMRC app.<\/p>\n
They can also\u00a0report changes that affect their payments\u00a0to\u00a0Gov.UK.<\/p>\n
It means that customers are no longer forced to sit and wait to speak to an operator through the HMRC hotline.<\/p>\n
In the app, customers can go to the child benefit section and select "change bank details".\u202f<\/p>\n
Using the new online service, customers' bank details can be viewed and updated instantly with no need to contact HMRC.<\/p>\n But if you do change your bank account details, payments that are due within three days will be credited to your previously listed bank account.\u202f<\/p>\n There are two steps you need to take to use the HMRC app for the first time.<\/p>\n Once set up, customers can log in using a pin, fingerprint or with facial\u202frecognition.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n You can download the free HMRC app\u00a0from the\u00a0App Store\u202ffor iOS\u202for the\u00a0Google Play Store\u202ffor Android.<\/p>\n Once installed, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the app settings.<\/p>\n Customers will be asked to sign into their account and can sign in or register on the same sign-in page if they have not used HMRC's online services before.\u202f<\/p>\n Child benefit is paid to\u00a0parents\u00a0to help with the costs of childcare.<\/p>\n Payments are usually made to you from the government every four weeks.<\/p>\n By claiming child benefit you also get\u00a0National Insurance\u00a0credits that count towards your\u00a0state pension.<\/p>\n There are two different rates for child benefit.<\/p>\n Currently, parents can claim \u00a324 per week for their first or only child – \u00a396 a month and \u00a31,248 a year.<\/p>\n For any additional children they can claim an extra \u00a315.90 a week per child – \u00a363.60 a month and \u00a3826.80 a year.<\/p>\n You normally qualify for child benefit if you live in the UK and are responsible for a child under 16.<\/p>\n But you can also claim the support for a child under 20 if they are in approved education or training.<\/p>\n When two or more people share the responsibility of caring for a child, it can only be claimed by one person.<\/p>\n You'll be responsible for a child if you live with them or you are paying at least the same amount as child benefit towards looking after them.<\/p>\n This might mean you are paying the equivalent amount of child benefit on\u00a0food, clothes or pocket\u00a0money.<\/p>\n You should bear in mind, eligibility changes if a child goes into\u00a0hospital\u00a0or care and if your child starts to live with someone else.<\/p>\n Usually, you get child benefit for eight weeks after your child goes to live with a friend or relative – as long as they don't make a claim.<\/p>\n But it can continue for longer if you make contributions to your child's upkeep.<\/p>\n Foster parents can also claim child benefit, as long as the council is not paying anything towards their accommodation or maintenance.<\/p>\n Legal\u00a0guardians or parents adopting a child can also apply for the benefit, but the child has to be living with them.<\/p>\n You will only be able to claim for a short period of time if you leave the UK, for example if you go on holiday or for medical treatment.<\/p>\n For anyone not sure about eligibility, you can contact the Child Benefit Office.<\/p>\n If either parent or carer starts earning over \u00a350,000, they have to start paying the high income child benefit charge.<\/p>\n This means you have to pay back 1 per cent of your child benefit for every \u00a3100 of income earned over the \u00a350,000 threshold.<\/p>\n Once you reach \u00a360,000 of yearly income you have to repay the full amount of child benefit received.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/SC-COMP-HEATED-THROWS.jpg\")
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