Child Benefit & Family Support 2026
Calculators and guides to help UK families understand their financial entitlements — updated for the 2026/27 tax year and the latest DWP and HMRC rate changes.
Family & Child Calculators
Child Benefit & HICBC Calculator
Calculate your weekly Child Benefit entitlement and check whether the High Income Child Benefit Charge applies at the £60,000 threshold.
Maternity Pay (SMP) Calculator
Estimate your Statutory Maternity Pay over the 39-week period based on your average weekly earnings. Covers SMP and Maternity Allowance.
Tax-Free Childcare Checker
Find out if you qualify for government top-ups on nursery and childminder costs — the government adds 20p for every 80p you pay, up to £2,000 per child per year.
Child Maintenance Calculator
Estimate weekly or monthly child maintenance payments under the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) formula, based on the paying parent's income and number of children.
15 / 30 Hours Free Childcare Checker
Check eligibility for funded childcare hours for children aged 9 months to school age. Working parents may qualify for up to 30 hours per week.
Sure Start Maternity Grant
Check eligibility for the one-off £500 payment to help with the costs of a first child, available to families on means-tested benefits.
Child Benefit & Family Support Rates 2026
The following rates apply from 6 April 2026 following the annual DWP and HMRC uprating. All figures represent a 3.8% increase on 2025/26 rates, in line with September 2025 CPI inflation.
| Benefit | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Child Benefit — eldest child | Weekly | £27.05 |
| Child Benefit — additional children | Weekly | £17.90 |
| Statutory Maternity Pay — weeks 7–39 | Weekly | £187.18 |
| Maternity Allowance (standard) | Weekly | £187.18 |
| Sure Start Maternity Grant | One-off | £500 |
| Tax-Free Childcare — government top-up | Annual max | £2,000/child |
Full rate tables with historical comparisons available at Child Benefit Rates 2026 →
Key Changes for the 2026/27 Tax Year
HICBC threshold remains at £60,000
The High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold was raised from £50,000 to £60,000 in April 2024 and remains unchanged for 2026/27. The charge tapers between £60,000 and £80,000 — at which point the entire annual Child Benefit is repaid. The charge is assessed on the higher earner's individual income, not combined household income.
Free childcare expanded from 9 months
From September 2024, the free childcare entitlement was extended to children from 9 months old (previously 3 years). Eligible working parents now receive up to 15 hours per week from 9 months to age 3, and up to 30 hours per week from age 3 to school age. Both parents must usually work at least 16 hours per week and neither can earn over £100,000 per year.
Tax-Free Childcare — PAYE option expanded
From 2026, employed parents can elect to have their Tax-Free Childcare top-up coordinated through HMRC's updated digital service, reducing administration. The core entitlement — 20% government top-up on up to £10,000 of childcare costs per child per year — is unchanged.
Statutory Maternity Pay rate increase
The standard SMP weekly rate increased from £184.03 to £187.18 from April 2026. This rate applies for weeks 7–39 of maternity leave, or the lower of 90% of average weekly earnings if that figure is smaller. The first 6 weeks of SMP are always paid at 90% of average earnings regardless of the standard rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Child Benefit in 2026?
From 6 April 2026, Child Benefit is £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child (£1,406.60/year), and £17.90 per week for each additional child (£930.40/year). Payments are made every 4 weeks by HMRC. The full rate table, including HICBC thresholds, is at Child Benefit Rates 2026.
Can I claim Child Benefit and Universal Credit at the same time?
Yes. Child Benefit is not counted as income for Universal Credit purposes, so receiving it does not reduce your UC award. Universal Credit also pays a separate child element (£287.92–£333.33/month per child in 2026) on top of Child Benefit. Use the UC Calculator to see the combined picture.
Who is eligible for Tax-Free Childcare in 2026?
Tax-Free Childcare is available to working parents who each earn at least the National Living Wage for 16 hours per week (roughly £2,167/month in 2026), and neither earns over £100,000 per year. Self-employed parents are eligible. The government adds 20p for every 80p you pay into your childcare account, up to £2,000 per child per year — or £4,000 for children with disabilities.
How is Statutory Maternity Pay calculated?
SMP is paid for up to 39 weeks. Weeks 1–6 are paid at 90% of your average weekly earnings (no cap). Weeks 7–39 are paid at the lower of 90% of your average earnings or the standard rate of £187.18 per week from April 2026. To qualify, you must have been employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before your due date and earn at least £123/week on average.
Who qualifies for the Sure Start Maternity Grant?
The £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment for families expecting their first child (or multiple births) who are already receiving a qualifying means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Income Support, or Pension Credit. It must be claimed within 11 weeks of your due date or up to 3 months after the birth. Use the Sure Start Grant checker to confirm your eligibility.
What is the two-child limit and does it affect Child Benefit?
The two-child limit does not affect Child Benefit — you receive Child Benefit for every qualifying child regardless of how many you have. The two-child limit applies only to the child element of Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit, where no child element is paid for a third or subsequent child born on or after 6 April 2017, with limited exceptions.