HMRC launches suspended child benefit review – what to do if you’ve been affected

HMRC has launched a suspended child benefit review after it used a new system to stop paying roughly 23,500 people in the UK.

The new system used Home Office travel data to check if someone has left the UK permanently before stopping the benefit. Typically, families can only leave the UK for up to eight weeks before they’re no longer eligible for child benefit.

However, in many cases, HMRC targeted families who had simply gone on a short holiday. This led to a flurry of complaints which has now prompted a review.

Who was affected?

According to the Guardian, nearly half of those targeted (46%) had their benefits stopped in error as they had not actually left the UK permanently.

In some cases, families had only gone abroad for a long weekend, while in others, they never even left the country due to a change in travel plans. Despite this, they were targeted by the system and lost out as a result.

If, after the review, the 46% figure turns out to be correct, around 11,000 people would have had their benefits stopped by mistake.

What do I do if I’ve been affected?

If HMRC has sent you a letter saying it’s stopping your child benefit, give them a ring on the number in the letter.

There’s a process in place to confirm eligibility quickly and get your benefits back. This might mean you’ll need to provide specific evidence to prove you still live in the UK, but you’ll be given more information when you call. If you’ve lost out, payments can be backdated once you get your benefits back.

Following the child benefits review announcement, HMRC has put extra steps in place to ensure parents aren’t penalised by mistake. If you receive a letter saying your child benefits will be suspended, you’ll now have a month to respond before HMRC takes action.