Child Tax Credit - How do I claim Child Tax Credit?

If you are already getting tax credits and you need to change your claim, for example because you are receiving Working Tax Credit and want to claim Child Tax Credit, you can contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Tax Credits office by phone or manage your tax credits online.

• Telephone: 0345 300 3900 (or the Relay service 18001 0345 300 3900)
• Online: Gov.UK: Manage Your Tax Credits

Remember that your tax credits claim has to be renewed every year by 31 July. If you do not renew your claim, your tax credit payments may stop and you may have to pay some tax credits back. See Gov.UK: How to Renew your Tax Credits

What documents will I need to claim Child Tax Credit?

When you make a claim for Child Tax Credit, you may be asked for:

• Your national insurance number. If you do not have a national insurance number , send in the claim form anyway to avoid delays
• Proof of your identity, for example birth certificate, passport or driving licence
• Proof of your annual income, for example, P60, bank statements or pay slips.

If you qualify for an exception to the Two-Child Limit , you may also be asked for other documents, for example:

• Adoption certificate
• Social worker’s declaration (for kinship care placements)
• Support worker’s declaration (for children conceived as a result of rape).

See Gov.UK: How to qualify for an exception to the Two Child Limit

Change of circumstances

Child Tax Credit is paid on a year by year basis but it is very important to tell HMRC about changes in your circumstances during the year which could affect the money you get. You must tell them about some changes within one month.

See Gov.UK: Changes that affect your Tax Credits

You can report changes of circumstances to HMRC by post, phone or online.

• Post: HM Revenue and Customs, Tax Credit Office, BX9 1ER
• Telephone: 0345 300 3900
• Relay UK: 18001 0345 300 3900
• Online: Gov.UK: Manage your Tax Credits

Reviewed: May 2022