Somerset families set for child benefit rate increase

As of August 2024, a total of 56,000 families in Somerset received child benefit payments, with the HMRC saying more than 6.9 million families across the country will be affected by the change.

Those claiming Child Benefits will see an increase in payments from April 6.

Claimants will receive £27.05 per week, or £1,406.60 a year, for the eldest or only child and £17.90 per week, £930.80 per year, for each additional child, with no limit as to how many children parents can claim for.

This is an annual increase of £52 and £33.80 respectively.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Looking after a child can be expensive, especially a newborn baby.

"It takes a few minutes to claim Child Benefit via the app, and doing so as soon as you can after your baby is born will ensure you don’t miss out on vital financial support.”

The HMRC said that the latest figures show that while more than 6.9 million families receive Child Benefit payments, only 72 per cent of families claimed it in their baby’s first year.

The authority urged new parents to register through their app or by using the digital service.

Child benefits are paid every four weeks and will automatically be paid into a bank account.