Child Benefit

Child benefit (previously known as Children’s Allowance or Family Allowance) is social security payment payable to parents or guardians of the children under 16 years of age, or under 18 years of age if the child is in full-time education or have a disability. Child benefit is means-tested in some country.

In Australia, Child benefit payments are currently called Family Tax Benefit. Family Tax Benefit is income tested and is linked to the Australian Income tax system. It can be claimed as fortnightly payments or as an annual lump sum.

In Ireland, Child Benefit (Sochar Leanaí) is payable to parents of children under 16 years of age, or 19 years if they are in full-time education. The payment is paid by the Department of Social Protection. Sweden began a program called “family allowance” , a government fund given to family with children to encourage them to have more children and increase the birthrate as an attempt to solve the problem of dwindling population after the World War I.

In Finland, child benefit scheme was introduce in 1948 by law. Benefit is paid to for children until they turn 17, and it is only paid for children that live in Finland. There is also a supplement for single parents. The benefit is paid trough national Social Insurance Institution.

In United Kingdom, child benefit is administered by Revenue and Customs Child Benefit Office in Washington, Tyne and Wear. As of April 2010, £20.30 per week is paid for the first child (including the eldest of a multiple birth) and £13.40 per week is paid for each additional child. The same amount is currently paid without reference to earnings or savings, although higher-rate taxpayers will not receive this benefit from 2013. More than 80% of children are in families also eligible for means-tested child tax credit.