Many countries offer benefits related to childbirth and child-rearing. The UK is no exception, where child benefit is designed for this purpose. You can get this benefit for many years – even until your child reaches the age of 20. What exactly is child benefit, how much is it and what else should you know about it? You’ll find the answers in this article.
What is Child Benefit?
Child benefit is the Polish equivalent of family allowance. It is paid to the person responsible for the child:
- must have a National Insurance Number in the UK,
- must pay contributions,
- must have the child’s birth certificate.
This benefit is available regardless of the income and contributions of the person responsible for the child or young person. (The exception is if you or your partner’s individual income exceeds £50,000).
This benefit can be claimed for any child or young person (up to the age of 20) who meets the conditions. It is paid every 4 weeks.
Who can get child benefit?
You can get child benefit in the UK if:
- You have a child or young person living with you, or you contribute an amount equal to Child Benefit towards their support,
- You have settled status (i.e. you are legally resident in the UK),
- the child or young person lives in the UK (or other European Union countries),
- you complete the application correctly,
- you have a National Insurance Number (NIN).
EU citizens living in the UK can get child benefit for a child living in an EU country outside the UK. This means that you can claim child benefit for children living in Poland, for example. However, you can only do this if you are not receiving family benefits in another EU country (including Poland) and you are working in the UK.
Child benefit is also paid for a child who works and is in full-time education. This is known as full-time education and a certificate of attendance should be issued by the child’s school.
Who is entitled to Child Benefit?
The benefit is granted for:
- a child under 16,
- A young person under the age of 20 who is in full-time education or who is enrolled in a 'full-time’ course (education must not have started after the age of 19).
There is no limit to the number of children you can claim, but only one person raising the child (you or your partner) can get the benefit.
