In this section:
- Which children can you claim tax credits for?
- Help with childcare costs - do you qualify?
- Children with disabilities and tax credits - who qualifies?
- Can you claim tax credits if you're not the child's parent?
- Claiming tax credits if your child lives at more than one address
- Who can claim tax credits if your child has a child?
Who can claim tax credits if your child has a child?
If you're getting tax credits for your child and they have a baby they may be able to make a tax credits claim for themselves. If they do this, you won't be able to claim for them anymore. If your child and the baby are both living with you, you can make a claim for both children.
When your child can make a claim
As long as your child is over 16 and is responsible for the baby they can make a tax credits claim for themselves.
We can only backdate payments for up to three months so it's best to tell us about the new baby as soon as possible. For example if the baby was born on 1 January but you tell us on 1 June, we can only pay the extra tax credits from 1 March.
Can you claim tax credits for both children?
If your child is under the age of 16 - or over 16 but under 20 and still qualifies for tax credits because they are in education or training - you can still get tax credits for them. If you look after your child's child as well, you can get tax credits for both of them.
Find out if you can claim Child Tax Credit for your 16-20 year old
Contact us
You can contact our Tax Credit Helpline on Tel 0845 300 3900 or textphone 0845 300 3909 (open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, seven days a week except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day).
More useful links
Get information about who qualifies for Child Benefit
Get information about how to claim tax credits
Get information about getting tax credits if you are not the child's parent
