The Child Element of Universal Credit can continue to be paid on behalf of home educated young people beyond compulsory school age when they meet the conditions for being treated as a “qualifying young person.” THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AT THE END OF AUGUST 2025.
This page should be read in conjunction with my page on post-16 Child Benefit https://edyourself.org/child-benefit/ NB IMPORTANT POSITIVE CHANGES TO POST-16 CB REGULATIONS FROM 1.9.25 SET OUT ON CB PAGE.
UC and Child Benefit
In October 2024 the Department of Work and Pensions which administers Universal Credit confirmed that:
‘There are no other valid reasons that a Universal Credit (UC) adviser would not accept receipt of Child Benefit as proof of education continuing for a young person/child 16+ other than those indicated in the information previously provided in the “Child verification:Spotlight.”‘
DWP added: ‘If the UC claimants are unhappy with any decision made by a UC adviser, they can ask for a mandatory reconsideration.‘ https://www.gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration
Source = Freedom of Information [FOI] Request https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/child_benefit_and_universal_cred specifically this PDF or viewed in browser here
Government Guidance
The government issues Guidance on UC which is regularly updated. Read more here https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/universal-credit-information-sources/ The Rightsnet website maintains an A-Z list which can be found here https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/resources/universal-credit-guidance
Source = Page 14 DWP Guidance Additional Amounts For Children via this page (page last checked end August 2025)
The Guidance explains that a home education course is where the young person is receiving tuition or supervised study (including – although not specified – by a parent)
Pasted in below as copiable text from the DWP guidance
“Child or Qualifying young person is aged 16 and over
A claimant must notify Universal Credit if a child is going to continue in full-time non- advanced education or approved training after the age of 16. This is so they can continue to receive the additional amount for a child and the Disabled Child Addition if appropriate […]
Child or qualifying young person in home education
Universal Credit will include the additional amount for a child for any eligible children in home education until either of the following occur:
- the end of August following each child’s 16th birthday
- the end of August after each child’s 19th birthday if they are still living at home and in home education taking a non-advanced course or taking part in approved training.”
For the Claimant to qualify for the additional amount for a child, the following must be taken into account:
- the education must exceed an average of more than 12 hours per week during term time* and must include receiving tuition, engaging in practical work or supervised study or taking examinations.
- the home education must not be a form of further education or contract of employment and must be approved by the local authority or Secretary of State.
Life skills courses are classed as non-advanced education and are considered for eligibility for the additional amount for a child.“
Source = Page 14 DWP Guidance Additional Amounts For Children 003 V37 via this page (EARLIER VERSIONS SAID THE HOME EDUCATION MUST HAVE BEGUN BEFORE AGE 16)
Approved By Secretary of State
The Department for Work and Pensions confirmed in October 2025 that “Child element can be paid to eligible customers responsible for qualifying young people up to 31 August following their 19th birthday when they are enrolled on, or accepted for, an approved training or a course of education. Approved training or a course of education means a course #which is not advanced education; #which is provided at a school, college or provided elsewhere (including at home) but approved by the Secretary of State; #where the average time spent during term time in receiving tuition, engaging in practical work or supervised study or taking examinations exceeds 12 hours per week and; #where the education or training referred to does not include education or training provided by means of a contract of employment.”
DWP went on to say “If the training or education provided at home meets the above- mentioned criteria, it is approved by the Secretary of State and considered an approved course for qualifying young person purposes. No further verification or evidence is required to confirm this approval.” SOURCE = FOI https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/proof_of_full_time_education_for
Local Authority Letter
It has come to my attention that UC work coaches sometimes ask for a letter from the local authority to verify post-16 home education. This is based on a misunderstanding and is unlikely to be possible since local authorities have no role after the end of compulsory school age.
12 Hours Per Week
The current UC guidance on Additional Amounts For Children (003 V37) no longer says home education must have begun before age 16 but *does still say that home education must exceed an average of 12 hours per week during term time, so is slightly out of line with Child Benefit regulations as amended.