Child Benefit: enquiries
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-22)

Contact HMRC for information about eligibility, claiming and stopping Child Benefit, changing your personal details and making a complaint.

Online

Ask HMRC’s digital assistant (https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/ask-hmrc/chat/child-benefit) to find information about:
- claiming Child Benefit
- the High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge
- any change of circumstances for you or your child which may affect your claim
You can use the official HMRC app (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/download-the-hmrc-app) to manage your Child Benefit claim, including:
- making a new claim
- viewing payment information
- amending your claim
- updating your details
Report a fraudulent claim for Child Benefit (https://www.gov.uk/report-tax-fraud) Use the online service to share information with HMRC about possible Child Benefit fraud.

Check when you can expect a reply from HMRC (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-expect-a-reply-from-hmrc) Find out when you can expect to receive a reply from HMRC to a query or request you’ve made.

If HMRC needs to contact you about anything confidential they’ll reply by phone or post.

Phone

General enquiries

Call HMRC if you have a question about Child Benefit and you cannot find an answer in the official HMRC app (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/download-the-hmrc-app).

You’ll need your National Insurance number.

HMRC can only discuss your claim with you or someone you have authorised as your representative. A partner or someone else can get general advice but they must be authorised to discuss a claim (https://www.gov.uk/claim-child-benefit-behalf-someone-else/authorisation).

Before you call

The helpline uses speech recognition software, so you will be asked why you are calling HMRC. If you cannot use speech recognition software, find out how to get help from HMRC if you need extra support (https://www.gov.uk/get-help-hmrc-extra-support).

This helpline may also ask you some security questions. Make sure your personal details and address are up to date in your personal tax account (https://www.gov.uk/personal-tax-account) or you could fail telephone security. If you do not have a personal tax account, you can create one before you check your details.

HMRC may ask if you want to add voice identification to your account. You can find out more in the Voice Identification Privacy Notice (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voice-identification-privacy-notice).

You can use Relay UK if you cannot hear or speak on the phone, dial 18001 then xx-xxxx-xxxx. Find out more on the Relay UK website (https://www.relayuk.bt.com/).

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Outside UK: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Opening times: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Closed bank holidays (https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays).

Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Get help from HMRC if you need extra support (https://www.gov.uk/get-help-hmrc-extra-support).

If a child or parent has died

Call the HMRC Bereavement Helpline to report the death of a child or parent.

This helpline does not deal with any other Child Benefit queries.

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Opening times: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Closed bank holidays (https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays).

Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Post

Child Benefit questions and complaints

Write to HMRC:
- to report the death of a child or parent
- if you have a question about Child Benefit and you cannot find an answer in the official HMRC app (/guidance/download-the-hmrc-app)
HM Revenue and Customs — Child Benefit OfficePO Box 1Newcastle upon TyneNE88 1AAUnited Kingdom

If you’re sending a complaint, write ‘complaint’ on the envelope.

Sending original documents to HMRC

If you’re sending original documents such as passports or birth certificates, post them to:

HM Revenue and Customs — Child Benefit OfficeWashingtonNewcastle upon TyneNE88 1ZDUnited Kingdom

Related content

Guidance
- Report benefit fraud (https://www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud)
- Report tax fraud or avoidance to HMRC (https://www.gov.uk/report-tax-fraud)
- Child Benefit: How it works (https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit)
- High Income Child Benefit Charge (https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-tax-charge)
- Prove you qualify for Child Benefit (https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-number)
HMRC contacts
- Guardian’s Allowance: enquiries (https://www.gov.uk/find-hmrc-contacts/guardians-allowance-enquiries)
- Budd-dal Plant: ymholiadau cyffredinol (for Welsh speaking customers) (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/budd-dal-plant-ymholiadau-cyffredinol)