If you're making a new claim

You can only make a claim for Child Tax Credit if you already get Working Tax Credit. You can only claim Child Tax Credit for children you’re responsible for . What you’ll get The amount you could get depends on when your children were born. If all your children were born before 6 April 2017 You could get the ‘child element’ of Child Tax Credit for all of your children. You’ll also get the basic amount, known as the ‘family element’. If one or more of your children were born on or after 6 April 2017 You could get the child element of Child Tax Credit for up to 2 children. You might get the child element for more children if exceptions apply . You’ll only get the family element if at least one of your children was born before 6 April 2017. Child Tax Credit rates for the 2024 to 2025 tax year Element Yearly amount The basic amount (this is known as ‘the family element’) Up to £545 For each child (this is known as ‘the child element’) Up to £3,455 For each disabled child Up to £4,170 (on top of the child element) For each severely disabled child Up to £1,680 (on top of the child element and the disabled child element) Moving to the UK from the EEA You must wait 3 months before claiming Child Tax Credit if you arrived in the UK from the EEA on or after 1 July 2014 and do not work. There are some exceptions who will not have to wait 3 months , for example refugees.

You're already claiming Child Tax Credit

How much Child Tax Credit you get depends on your circumstances. You must tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if your circumstances change . If your claim started before 6 April 2017 You get: the basic amount of Child Tax Credit (known as the ‘family element’) the ‘child element’ for children born before 6 April 2017 If you have another child on or after 6 April 2017, you’ll usually only get the child element for them if they’re the second child you’re claiming for. You might get the child element for more children if exceptions apply . If your claim started on or after 6 April 2017 You get the child element for up to 2 children. You might get the child element for more children if exceptions apply . You only get the family element if at least one of your children was born before 6 April 2017. If all your children were born before 6 April 2017 You get the child element for all your children. You also get the basic amount (known as the family element). Child Tax Credit rates for the 2024 to 2025 tax year Element Yearly amount The basic amount (this is known as ‘the family element’) Up to £545 For each child (this is known as ‘the child element’) Up to £3,455 For each disabled child Up to £4,170 (on top of the child element) For each severely disabled child Up to £1,680 (on top of the child element and the disabled child element) To find out how changes to your income or circumstances might affect your tax credits, contact HMRC .

All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account (a bank account, for example) of the person mainly responsible for the child. You’re paid every week or every 4 weeks from the date of your claim up to the end of the tax year (5 April), unless your circumstances change .

You can only make a claim for Child Tax Credit if you already get Working Tax Credit. If you get Working Tax Credit To claim Child Tax Credit, update your existing tax credit claim. Update your claim by reporting a change in your circumstances . If you do not get Working Tax Credit You cannot apply for Child Tax Credit. You can apply for Universal Credit instead. You might be able to apply for Pension Credit if you and your partner are State Pension age or over.

Responsibility for a child

You can only claim Child Tax Credit for children you’re responsible for. You’re usually responsible for a child if: they live with you all the time they normally live with you and you’re the main carer they keep their toys and clothes at your home you pay for their meals and give them pocket money they live in an EEA country or Switzerland but are financially dependent on you Contact HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) if you’re not sure you’re responsible for the child. If you share responsibility for a child and you cannot agree who should claim you can both apply. HMRC will decide for you. If you adopted or fostered a child You can claim for an adopted or fostered child if you’re not getting money from your local council (Health and Social Services Board in Northern Ireland). If you do get money, contact HMRC to find out if you can claim. If you’re responsible for a disabled child You may get extra Child Tax Credits if your child either: gets Disability Living Allowance , Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment is certified blind (or was within 28 weeks of your tax credits claim) You still qualify if Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment stops because the child goes into hospital.

Child Tax Credit

Overview

You can only make a claim for Child Tax Credit if you already get Working Tax Credit.

If you cannot apply for Child Tax Credit, you can apply for Universal Credit instead.

You might be able to apply for Pension Credit if you and your partner are State Pension age or over.

What you’ll get

The amount you can get depends on how many children you’ve got and whether you’re:

making a new claim for Child Tax Credit
already claiming Child Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit will not affect your Child Benefit.

You can only claim Child Tax Credit for children you’re responsible for.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Child Tax Credit

Overview

What you’ll get

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Child Tax Credit

Overview

What you’ll get

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