Sign up for child benefit before cash is lost

ONLY half of those eligible for child benefit have returned forms needed to claim the money.

S t u d e n t s w h o collected their exam results and plan to stay in full- time education or unpaid training are eligible for child benefit – but their parents must inform HMRC. Forms have been sent to more than 620,000 people whose benefit will stop if they don’t return them.

Only half have been sent back.

If a child is staying in full- time education or unpaid training, the form needs to arrive with HMRC before August 31. Angela MacDonald, director general of customer services, said: “Leaving school and collecting exam results is a rite of passage and we want to ensure that our support remains consistent as they take that next step.”