Parents in the North West are urged not to miss the deadline for extending child benefit payments.

Parents have less than two weeks to inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) whether their 16-19 year old son is continuing his education or training or they will no longer be paid child benefit.

If parents have not yet updated their eligibility, payments will stop after August 31.

If the child continues his or her recognized education, child benefit can continue to be paid.

HMRC is urging those responsible to act now, not later.

A quick and easy solution is to update your claim online on GOV.UK or via the HMRC app.

More than 270,000 parents have already updated their application digitally. The advantage: There are no longer long waiting times on the phone.

Parents are advised to keep their claim details up to date even if they have opted not to receive Child Benefit due to the High Income Child Benefit Charge.

Re-registration to receive child benefit is also possible online or via the app.

Each year, child benefit is up to £1,331 for the first or only child and up to £881 for each additional child.

Myrtle Lloyd, Director General of Customer Services at HMRC, said: “Child Benefit is an important financial support for many households and we do not want eligible families to go without it.”

“You can extend your entitlement quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app. Just search for ‘Child Benefit when your child turns 16’ on GOV.UK.”

Victoria Benson, chief executive of Gingerbread, a charity for single parents, said: “With the 31 August deadline fast approaching, it is really important that parents whose children are starting further education or training extend their entitlement as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this vital financial help.”

If a child changes their mind about continuing education, parents can easily notify HMRC online or via the app.

Child benefit payments will be adjusted accordingly and parents can check the status of their claims at any time online or via the app.

To use HMRC’s online services, parents need a Government Gateway user ID and password.

You can register on GOV.UK using a social security number or postcode and two pieces of ID.