Child Benefit
Warning: Taken time off work to look after kids? You could be owed state pension - here's how to check and claim
If you stayed at home to care for family, as far back as 1978, your National Insurance record may have been hit with errors that could see you missing out on £1,000s in state pension payments. Below we explain how to check and claim.
1 September 2022
Universal credit and other benefits to rise from today - how to check you're not missing out
Millions of people will see a slight increase to their benefit payments starting from this month. Benefits such as universal credit, child benefits and state pension payments will see a rise. Here’s everything you need to know.
11 April 2022
Get Healthy Start vouchers? You need to apply for a prepaid card to receive payments from March or you'll miss out
From 31 March NHS Healthy Start paper vouchers will no longer be issued and will instead be swapped for prepaid cards, under a new shake-up to the scheme. So, make sure you register now or you’ll miss out on payments. Here’s all you need to know.
9 February 2022
Warning – 200,000 risk losing £1,000s as 'wrong' parent claims child benefit
Around 200,000 families risk one parent missing out on national insurance credits - and potentially losing £1,000s from their future state pension - because the higher earner in the couple claims child benefit, new data shows. Here's how to check if your family is affected, and transfer national insurance credits across if needed
23 November 2019
Scottish parents can now apply for a £250 grant for school-age children
Applications are now open for a new £250 payment for low-income families in Scotland, which is paid when your child is old enough to start school
10 June 2019
Child benefit fines wiped for 6,000 parents
HMRC is cancelling penalties for over 6,000 parents and guardians who were fined for not registering for the high income benefit charge
6 June 2019
Have you been missing out on tax credits for your disabled child? You could be owed £1,000s
Thousands of households entitled to refund from the Government after missing out on tax credits for disabled children
28 November 2016
Parents of young children, act now to protect your FULL state pension entitlement
New parents are missing out on national insurance credits because they're failing to claim child benefit
12 November 2016
Got kids who've just finished their exams? Tell the taxman
If your child's still studying or starting approved training, tell HMRC or risk losing child tax credits and benefit
30 August 2016
Thousands vent Twitter fury at HMRC over long call waits
Frustrated callers tweeted HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) more than 11,500 times over the past year to complain
9 September 2015
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22 March 2023
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Beat April price hikes
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Superfast fibre '£18/month'
Broadband hikes are coming
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15GB data Sim for '£5/month'
Or '£9/month' for 100GB
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Tesco Clubcard triple-up axed
3 months left to max gains
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FREE £50 investment
It's back!
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'Got a Power of Attorney?'
'It's probably more important than a will'
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Important Budget briefing
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Ovo launches one-year fixed tariff – but is it worth switching to?
24 March 2023![]()
Almost every household has been charged the same price for their energy over the last year under the Energy Price Cap (EPC) and the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), with no cheaper fixed deals to switch to. That has now changed, with Ovo launching a one-year fix for existing customers that undercuts the EPG level of £2,500 a year. -
BT customers 'forced into overdrafts' after duplicate payment error - here's what you need to know
24 March 2023![]()
BT customers have complained that they've been forced into overdrafts after payments were wrongly taken twice this month. The telecommunications giant said it will refund any duplicate payments taken automatically. -
Martin Lewis: Four urgent ways you may be due £1,000s in tax back – if you're married, had a PPI payout, wear a work uniform or even just pay tax
23 March 2023![]()
If you're married or in a civil partnership, have ever had a PPI payout, wear a uniform to work or pay any income tax, you could be due £100s or even £1,000s in tax back – but you'll need to check urgently. -
Bank of England increases base rate to 4.25% – what the rise means for your mortgage and savings
23 March 2023![]()
The Bank of England has increased the base rate from 4% to 4.25%. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and so it influences what borrowers pay and what savers earn. -
Broadband and mobile users to be hit with price hikes of up to 17.3% in April – here's what you need to know
23 March 2023![]()
Millions of BT, EE, O2, Plusnet, Shell, Sky, TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone customers will be hit with price hikes of up to 17% this spring, on the back of a sharp increase in the cost of living.
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Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
5 December 2022![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: The one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
29 November 2022![]()
It is a national tragedy that getting on for a million pensioners, many of whom have been paying into the system for years, are missing out on a critical boost to their income. It's called pension credit, and this year it also means you get an extra £650 to help with energy bills.
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