Change to Child Benefit Claim Process during COVID-19 outbreak

Child Benefit can now be claimed without registering a birth, until the registry offices can be safely reopened. This means new parents won’t miss out at this crucial time.

If parents are claiming for their first child, they can fill in Child Benefit claim form CH2 and send it to the Child Benefit Office. If they haven’t registered the birth because of coronavirus, they’ll need to add a note with their claim to let the office know.

The Child Benefit Office’s address is:

HM Revenue and Customs – Child Benefit Office
PO Box 1
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE88 1AA

Parents who already claim Child Benefit can complete the form or add their newborn’s details over the telephone on 0300 200 3100. They will need their National Insurance number or Child Benefit number to hand.

Child Benefit claims can be backdated by up to three months.

From 6 April 2020 Child Benefit will be paid at £21.05 per week for the first child and £13.95 for each additional child. Child Benefit is paid into customer’s accounts, usually every 4 weeks.

Only one person can claim Child Benefit for a child. For couples with one partner not working or paying National Insurance contributions, making the claim in their name will help protect their State Pension.