Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance: Contacting HMRC

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are the government department who administer child benefit and guardian’s allowance.

Child Benefit

There is some information on the GOV.UK website about options where people are looking to find proof they qualify for child benefit. HMRC have a digital service, via the GOV.UK website, which allows claimants to get proof they qualify for and receive child benefit and also see their 5 most recent child benefit payments. Claimants need to use their Government Gateway account (or set one up) to use the service.

On-line service

Claimants can contact the child benefit office via the GOV.UK website by using HMRC’s special online forms. There are different forms depending on certain circumstances. You can find their on-line forms services by following the link below.

HMRC also have an on-line service called the Personal Tax Account for all individuals to be able to transact with them digitally. The personal tax account covers a variety of services provided right across HMRC lines of business, covering income tax, tax payments, self-assessment returns, tax credits and it also includes the some child benefit on-line services.

Claimants can notify HMRC about changes of circumstances for child benefit online via their Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK.

To use this service, child benefit claimants need to register with the Government Gateway service. Claimants can use their existing account if they already use Government Gateway for self-assessment, others will need to set up a Government Gateway account. Each time a person uses their Government Gateway account, they will need to have a mobile phone or landline telephone nearby to receive a unique 6-digit code which will be sent automatically to them as they ‘log-in’. The service is accessed via GOV.UK.

Webchat

The webchat for child benefit has been largely withdrawn. It is still available for people who need to contact HMRC about child benefit and who need extra support.  

Phone

NB - authorised intermediaries can also contact the child benefit office using an intermediaries helpline. Please note however that HMRC will not be able to help you on the intermediaries helpline if you are calling about your own claim for benefit.

By post

Letters can be sent to:

HMRC Child Benefit Office
PO Box 1
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE88 1AA

Guardian’s Allowance

On-line

You can email the guardian’s allowance unit via the GOV.UK website by using HMRC’s special online forms. You can find their on-line forms by following the link below:

Phone

By post

Letters can be sent to:

HMRC Guardian’s Allowance Unit
PO Box 1
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE88 1AA

Last reviewed/updated 5 May 2023