HMRC says thousands of families may be missing out by delaying claims

NEW parents across Wales are being urged to claim Child Benefit as soon as possible after new figures revealed that more than 30 per cent are missing out on payments during their baby’s first year.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) says thousands of families are delaying claims and losing out on financial support which could amount to more than £1,400 a year for a first child.

The warning comes as more than 140,000 babies were born between April and June last year, with HMRC encouraging parents who welcomed a child this spring to make a claim using the HMRC app or online through GOV.UK.

While 6.8 million families claimed Child Benefit in the year to August 2025, only 68.8 per cent did so before their baby’s first birthday.

Child Benefit is worth £27.05 a week, or £1,406.60 a year, for an eldest or only child. Families can also receive £17.90 a week, or £930.80 a year, for each additional child, with no limit on the number of children they can claim for.

HMRC said Child Benefit can be claimed 48 hours after a baby’s birth has been registered, but payments can only be backdated for up to three months from the date the claim is received.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer said: “Spring is a wonderful time to welcome a baby and claiming Child Benefit as soon as possible means your family can benefit from much-needed financial support.

“It is quick and easy to claim Child Benefit via the HMRC app at a time that suits you.”

Parents making a new claim will need their child’s birth or adoption certificate, bank details, their National Insurance number and, if they have one, their partner’s National Insurance number.

For children born outside the UK, parents may also need the child’s original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document.

HMRC says payments are usually made automatically into a bank account every four weeks.

Claiming Child Benefit can also help protect a parent’s future State Pension entitlement through National Insurance credits, particularly for those who are not in paid employment or receiving credits through another route.

It also means a child will automatically receive their National Insurance number when they turn 16.

Parents or partners earning more than £60,000 a year may have to pay the High-Income Child Benefit Charge. However, HMRC says families can still claim Child Benefit and choose not to receive the payments, while still receiving National Insurance credits.

Families who previously opted out of Child Benefit payments can restart them through the HMRC app or online.

Photo caption: Helping hand: HMRC is urging new parents to claim Child Benefit as soon as possible after welcoming a baby (Pic: HMRC).

A CONSULTATION has been launched on a new regional strategy aimed at improving support for people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people across West Wales.

The proposed West Wales Learning Disability Strategy 2026-2031 covers Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, and has been developed following two years of engagement with people with learning disabilities, neurodivergent people, families, carers, councils, health services and support organisations.

It would replace three separate but similar local strategies with one regional plan, supported by local action plans for each county.

The strategy has been reviewed by the Regional Improving Lives Partnership, which includes Pembrokeshire County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council, Ceredigion County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Dream Team, Carmarthenshire People First, Pembrokeshire People First, the West Wales Regional Partnership, and projects funded through the Regional Integration Fund.

The plan is informed by the West Wales Population Needs Assessment and focuses on ten priority areas identified during engagement.

These include information, advice and assistance, social services, health services, education, children and young people, socialising and friendships, day opportunities, volunteering and work, housing, transport, advocacy, and support for carers.

Pembrokeshire County Council is now asking residents, service users, families, carers and organisations to give their views on the recommendations.

The consultation is open until Sunday (Jul 5).

People can take part online through the West Wales Regional Partnership Board website, on the West Wales Learning Disability Partnership page.

Anyone who would like a paper copy can contact [email protected] or call 01437 764551.

A GROUP of four friends who met whilst working at an oil refinery took on a 64-mile cycling challenge in aid of Wales Air Ambulance over the weekend.

Dave Moore, Derek “Dez” Nicholas, David “Bogie” Knight and Adam Murphy pulled on charity jerseys as they competed in the Black Rat Sportive on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

64-year-old Dave, who is retired and from Fishguard, says they chose the lifesaving service because it came to the aid of one of their riders.

He said: “Through the years we have supported dozens of charities in our region. I’ve always been into fitness challenges, competing in triathlons and marathons.

“When I was working at the Murco oil refinery we would rally a large number, we had around sixteen at one time. We would do everything from rowing events to cycling and running.

“We have supported Wales Air Ambulance in the past, but one of our group, David Knight, suggested that we make it the Charity of choice for this year’s fundraiser, because they came to his aid.”

David, who is known as “Bogie” among the biking community, suffered serious injuries after coming off his motorcycle after an incident on the A483 in 2000. He was travelling from Llandovery to an event in Builth Wells when he was involved in a head on collision with a car.

He said: “All I remember was hearing brakes squealing coming down the hill. It was so quick I didn’t have time to brake; I was travelling in my lane when the next thing I was airborne.

“My motorbike hit the car, I catapulted over the top of it and travelled a few yards down the road landing on a metal barrier, which had a massive drop down the side of the mountain. I was lucky I didn’t go over the top.”

He was travelling with two friends at the time, one had gone on ahead, but another rider who was an ex-firefighter was close behind.

The father of two said: “Tony could see the car was up against a metal barrier on the edge of the bend – my motorbike was half on the barrier and half on the car. He could not see me as he came up. He parked up and spotted me on the floor. I was pretty bashed up.”

Both the Wales Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance attended. With David being flown to Glangwili Hospital. He required a spinal block to enable his leg to be straightened.

He also underwent surgery on his leg and hand, with pins inserted into his hip and knee to stabilise his broken femur and a wire inserted into his dislocated thumb.

He said: “It took six months for me to recover from my injuries. Just talking about it still makes me feel emotional, it’s the realisation of how lucky I was that day. It could have been so much worse.”

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.

It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.

This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.

As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency critical care.

David said: “It’s incredible that the Charity must raise such a large amount each year to ensure the service keeps running.

“That’s why it feels very special doing our bit to help. We have already raised over £1.6k on our Go Fund Me page, and Impala will be match-funding the final total.”

The Black Rat Sportive is a cycle ride centred around the Wye Valley and Monmouthshire. Riders will cover 64-miles with about 3,600 feet of climbing.

Mike May, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager said: “It’s always hugely inspiring to see our past patients making such an amazing recovery after suffering terrible injuries.

“We are grateful that David nominated us as the chosen Charity to benefit from the group’s  fundraiser at the Black Rat Sportive.

“Our Charity relies on fundraising activities like this to ensure that we can attend patients whenever and wherever they need us.

“Every pound raised this weekend will make a lifesaving difference. Diolch yn fawr!”