Child Benefit vs Child Tax Credit
Compare Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit — who may be eligible, payment rates, means-testing, and how Universal Credit affects these family benefits.
Child Benefit
Maximum amount
£25.60/week (first child)
Means-tested
No
Age group
Any age (for children under 16 or under 20 in education)
Key features
- Available regardless of income
- Paid for each qualifying child
- Higher rate for first child, lower rate for subsequent children
- High Income Child Benefit Charge applies if a parent earns over £60,000
- Provides National Insurance credits for the claiming parent
- Not being replaced by Universal Credit
Child Tax Credit
Maximum amount
Varies by circumstances
Means-tested
Yes
Age group
Any age (for children under 16 or under 20 in education)
Key features
- Means-tested — based on household income
- Includes extra elements for disabled children
- Legacy benefit being replaced by Universal Credit
- New claims are generally no longer accepted
- Existing claims continue until migration to UC
- Two-child limit applies for claims from April 2017
Key Differences
Means-testing
Child Benefit
Not means-tested (but High Income Child Benefit Charge may apply)
Child Tax Credit
Means-tested based on household income
Means-testing
Not means-tested (but High Income Child Benefit Charge may apply)
Means-tested based on household income
Current availability
Child Benefit
Still accepting new claims
Child Tax Credit
Legacy benefit — new claims generally directed to Universal Credit
Current availability
Still accepting new claims
Legacy benefit — new claims generally directed to Universal Credit
Amount
Child Benefit
£25.60/week for first child, £16.95/week for each additional child
Child Tax Credit
Varies — up to £3,455/year per child (family element plus child element)
Amount
£25.60/week for first child, £16.95/week for each additional child
Varies — up to £3,455/year per child (family element plus child element)
Disability element
Child Benefit
No additional amount for disabled children
Child Tax Credit
Includes disabled child element and severely disabled child element
Disability element
No additional amount for disabled children
Includes disabled child element and severely disabled child element
NI credits
Child Benefit
Provides National Insurance credits to the claiming parent
Child Tax Credit
Does not provide National Insurance credits
NI credits
Provides National Insurance credits to the claiming parent
Does not provide National Insurance credits
Which Could Be Right for You?
All parents and guardians responsible for a qualifying child may want to claim Child Benefit, as it is available regardless of income and provides National Insurance credits. Child Tax Credit is a legacy benefit that is no longer accepting new claims in most cases — if you need additional income-related support for your children, you would typically claim Universal Credit instead, which can include a child element. If you are already receiving Child Tax Credit, your claim will continue until you are migrated to Universal Credit.
Can You Claim Both?
If you are already receiving Child Tax Credit, you can continue to receive it alongside Child Benefit. However, if you make a new claim for Universal Credit, your Child Tax Credit claim will end. You cannot receive both Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit. Child Benefit can be received alongside Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit.
Learn More About Each Benefit
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I still claim Child Benefit if I earn over £60,000?
What happens to my Child Tax Credit?
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Important: Benefits Robin is not affiliated with the DWP or UK Government. We provide information and assistance, not legal or financial advice. These are estimates based on your answers. Final decisions are made by the DWP.