One in three new parents are missing out on Child Benefit payments in their baby’s first year.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging Worcester parents who welcomed a baby this spring to claim now via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK.
While more than 6.8 million parents received Child Benefit in the year to August 2025, only 68.8 per cent of them claimed the government support before their baby’s first birthday.
More than 140,000 babies were born between April and June last year, and while many parents are enjoying new beginnings this spring, the latest statistics show thousands of families could be missing out on much-needed cash by delaying their claim.
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week for each additional child.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s chief customer officer, said: “Spring is a wonderful time to welcome a baby and claiming Child Benefit as soon as possible means your family can benefit from much-needed financial support.”
Child Benefit can be claimed 48 hours after the baby’s birth is registered but can only be backdated for up to three months from the date HMRC receives the claim, meaning thousands of families are not getting what they’re entitled to receive.
