Parents are being reminded to report any changes in their family circumstances that will affect the amount of Child Benefit payments they receive. They are warned that if they don't, they run the risk of not getting all the money they are entitled to - or could even be made to pay it back.
The Citizens Advice Bureau says that anyone in the UK can claim the benefit if they are legally responsible for a child - whether they are a parent or not. The criteria are that the young person has to be under 16 years old, or "still in education or training" up to the age of 20.
Payments are made irrespective of employment status, or the amount of savings and investments someone who is eligible may have. In some circumstances, parents and guardians can also claim if they live abroad but this is rare.
