When Does Child Maintenance Stop? What Happens When Your Child Leaves Education
Understanding Child Benefit, Education Status, and Child Maintenance Rules in the UK
Every summer, thousands of UK families face an important transition when a child finishes school, college, or training. Alongside lifestyle changes, there are major financial questions — particularly surrounding child maintenance payments and Child Benefit eligibility.
If you're wondering when child maintenance stops, how education affects payments, or what happens after GCSEs or A-levels, this guide explains everything clearly.
How Child Benefit and Child Maintenance Are Connected
In most UK cases, child maintenance ends when Child Benefit stops. The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) uses Child Benefit eligibility rules to decide whether a child is still considered financially dependent.
If Child Benefit continues, child maintenance usually continues. When Child Benefit ends, maintenance payments normally stop as well.
Watch: How Child Maintenance and Child Benefit Are Linked
Eligibility typically depends on whether the young person remains in full-time approved education or training.
When Does Child Benefit Automatically Stop?
Child Benefit claims automatically include a preset end date when a child turns 16. Payments normally continue until:
👉 31 August following the child’s 16th birthday
If Child Benefit is not extended before this date, payments stop automatically. Child maintenance payments usually end at the same time.
Importantly:
Payments continue until 31 August even if the child stops attending school.
Children under 16 are still classed as financially dependent regardless of attendance.
Related Video: When Child Maintenance Stops After Education Ends
If a young person continues in further education, Child Benefit can be extended. The new end date moves to the next official quarterly terminal date after their course finishes.
UK Child Benefit Terminal Dates
28/29 February
31 May
31 August
30 November
For example, if education finishes in June, Child Benefit usually continues until 31 August unless the young person starts full-time work earlier.
Young people are still classed as being in education until their final exams finish. For GCSEs and A-levels, this usually means mid-to-late June.
When Must Parents Inform HMRC About Education Changes?
Many parents believe they must always report when education ends. This is not always required.
Parents only need to notify HMRC if the young person:
Leaves education early
Starts working more than 24 hours per week before the next terminal date
Begins claiming benefits independently
If none of these apply, Child Benefit usually continues automatically until the next scheduled end date.
Failing to report early changes may result in overpayments or potential fraud investigations.
The 20-Week Extension Rule for 16-17 Year Olds
Child Benefit may continue for up to 20 additional weeks for young people aged 16 or 17 who:
Register with a careers service
Are waiting to start military service
Are between education or training placements
During this extension period, child maintenance usually continues.
Myth: Working Over 24 Hours Stops Child Maintenance
A common misconception is that working over 24 hours per week automatically stops Child Benefit or child maintenance.
This is incorrect.
There is no limit on working hours while the young person remains in full-time approved education. The 24-hour threshold only applies once education has ended.
What Happens After Child Benefit Stops?
Government systems regularly check Child Benefit status for young people aged over 16.
If Child Benefit stops:
CMS automatically reviews child maintenance eligibility.
Parents paying maintenance can also report changes themselves.
If Child Benefit is still active, CMS usually rejects early change requests.
Different Rules Depending on the Child’s Age
When the Young Person Is Over 18
If Child Benefit ends after age 18, the young person is normally removed automatically from child maintenance calculations unless:
Other case changes are pending
Income reassessments are still being processed
Delays are common if multiple case updates are underway.
When the Young Person Is Under 18
For children under 18, CMS normally:
Contacts the parent receiving Child Benefit
Allows 7 days to confirm education status
Runs a final Child Benefit check before closing the case
If Child Benefit restarts, child maintenance normally continues.
What Happens When a Child Is Removed From a CMS Case?
When a child is removed:
Maintenance payments for that child stop
Payments may be recalculated if other children remain eligible
Arrears still need to be paid if outstanding
If no other children remain and no arrears exist, the case will eventually close. Full closure can take several weeks as it is often processed manually.
Timing Matters When Reporting Changes
Many parents try to report education ending too early. This often leads to rejected change requests and delays.
If Child Benefit remains valid until a scheduled terminal date, CMS will normally reject any early case closure requests.
Waiting until Child Benefit officially ends helps avoid processing delays.
Why CMS May Reject Requests to Stop Child Maintenance
Requests may be rejected if:
Child Benefit remains active
A 20-week extension has been granted
Education ended but HMRC was not notified
Course extensions remain on record
System updates have not yet been processed
Government systems may take several weeks to update across departments.
Final Thoughts: Understanding Child Maintenance Rules When Education Ends
Understanding how Child Benefit and education status affect child maintenance can help parents avoid confusion, disputes, and delays.
Key points to remember:
✔ Child maintenance usually follows Child Benefit rules
✔ Education status determines payment eligibility
✔ Terminal dates control when payments stop
✔ Timing is crucial when reporting changes
Staying informed helps ensure smoother case transitions for both paying and receiving parents.
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Learn when child maintenance stops in the UK and how Child Benefit, education status, and terminal dates affect payments. Complete guide with expert explanations and video support.