Your child has a child - who can claim tax credits?

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 are aged 16 or over. If they do this, you won't be able to claim for them any more. If your child and the baby are both living with you, you can make a claim for both children.

On this page:

When your child can make a claim
Can you claim tax credits for both children?
Contact the Tax Credit Office
More useful links

When your child can make a claim

As long as your child is 16 or over, and is responsible for the baby, they can make a tax credits claim for themselves.

The Tax Credit Office can backdate your child’s claim to the date the baby was born as long as you make a claim within three months. So it's best to tell them about the new baby as soon as possible. For example if the baby was born on 1 January but you tell the Tax Credit Office on 1 June, they 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 is doing education or training that qualifies for tax credits - you may still get tax credits for them. If you look after your child's child as well, you can get tax credits for both children.

Find out if you can claim tax credits for your 16-20 year old

Contact the Tax Credit Office

If you need more help you can call the Tax Credit Helpline which is open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. The numbers you can ring are:

Tel 0845 300 3900
Textphone 0845 300 3909 - if you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment

If you're calling from overseas you can also contact the Tax Credit Office on Tel + 44 289 053 8192.

Your child has a child - who can claim tax credits?

When your child can make a claim

Can you claim tax credits for both children?

Contact the Tax Credit Office

More useful links