15/08/2026
Do you keep your Child Benefit if you home educate? 🇬🇧
This is a really common question from parents considering home education — and the answer is yes, home educating does not automatically mean you lose Child Benefit.
For children under 16, Child Benefit doesn’t depend on whether your child attends school or is educated at home.
After 16, different rules apply. Child Benefit can continue for a young person who remains in qualifying education or training, subject to HMRC’s conditions.
And there’s an important recent change: since September 2025, the rules for education provided outside a school or college changed, so home education can qualify even where it begins after the young person turns 16, provided the relevant Child Benefit conditions are met.
In this Home Education FAQ #7, I explain the basics and what home educating families need to know.
I’m a UK home educating mum sharing practical advice, legal information and real-life experience to help families feel confident about home education.
💬 Did you know you could keep Child Benefit while home educating?
Follow Yes You Can Home Educate! for more UK Home Education FAQs, practical tips and encouragement.
