New parents in Barking and Dagenham are being urged to claim their Child Benefit, even if they have not yet been able to register the birth of their new-borns, to ensure they don’t miss out.

Claims can only be backdated by up to three months, so it’s important that new parents claim as soon as they can to receive the maximum support available.

Usually, to claim Child Benefit parents must register their child’s birth first. However, due to the pandemic the local register office is operating at a reduced capacity and some parents have been unable to register their child.

In April, the government announced that parents can claim Child Benefit without having to register their child’s birth during the pandemic. 

First time parents will need to fill in Child Benefit claim form CH2 online and send it to the Child Benefit Office. If they haven’t registered the birth because of Covid-19, they should add a note with their claim to let the Child Benefit office know.

If they already claim Child Benefit, they can complete the form and add their new-born’s details over the telephone on 0300 200 3100. They will need their National Insurance number and Child Benefit number.

Councillor Sade Bright, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Aspiration, said: “The pandemic has changed the way we normally did a lot of things, but all the same it is important that parents remember to claim Child Benefit, not just for payments which we hope we provide vital support at this time, but also so they don’t miss out on National Insurance credits that help protect their State Pension.

“We are doing all we can to support parents through these difficult times and we hope the process is as simple and stress free as possible for local parents.”

Child Benefit payments increased from 6 April to a weekly rate of £21.05 for the first child and £13.95 for each additional child. Child Benefit is paid into your bank account, usually every 4 weeks.