child benefit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal; Administrative; Everyday (in countries where it is a common term).
Quick answer
What does “child benefit” mean?
A regular payment made by the government to parents or guardians for each dependent child.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A regular payment made by the government to parents or guardians for each dependent child.
Primarily, a welfare payment to help with the costs of raising children. It can also refer more broadly to any social policy measure that directly benefits families with children, though this is less common. In some contexts, it may be used metaphorically to describe something that provides ongoing, fundamental support.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'Child Benefit' is a specific, named government payment. In the US, there is no direct federal program called 'child benefit'; similar financial support is typically provided through mechanisms like the 'Child Tax Credit' or 'Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)'. The term is therefore much less common in American English.
Connotations
UK: Neutral to positive, a standard part of the welfare state. US: If used, it may sound like a Britishism or a generic term for child-focused financial aid, lacking the specific administrative connotation.
Frequency
High frequency in UK/Irish/Commonwealth English. Low frequency in US English, where 'tax credit' or 'allowance' are preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “child benefit” in a Sentence
[Recipient] receives/claims child benefit for [Child].[Government/State] pays/provides child benefit to [Recipient].Child benefit is paid [weekly/monthly].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In payroll and HR, discussing employee entitlements in relevant countries: 'Does the expat package include guidance on claiming local child benefit?'
Academic
In social policy, economics, or sociology papers: 'The study analysed the impact of the 2013 child benefit reforms on household poverty.'
Everyday
In conversation among parents: 'Have you sorted out your child benefit yet?' or 'The child benefit just went into the bank.'
Technical
In government legislation and official guidance: 'Eligibility for Child Benefit is set out in Section 141 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “child benefit”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “child benefit”
- Using it countably incorrectly: 'We get many child benefits' (unless discussing multiple schemes). Better: 'We get child benefit for our three children.'
- Using 'children benefit' (verb) by mistake: 'The policy children benefit families' is incorrect. 'The policy benefits children' or 'Child benefit helps families' are correct.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Child benefit is a payment from the government to parents. Child support is a payment from one parent to another (often following a separation) for the upkeep of their child.
Generally, anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if in approved education/training) who lives in the UK can claim. There are special rules for immigrants and high-income earners.
It is typically paid every four weeks, but you can usually choose to have it paid weekly.
Rarely. Its primary meaning is financial. A phrase like 'the child benefit of a stable home' is a metaphorical extension and would likely be phrased as 'the benefit to the child' in normal usage.
A regular payment made by the government to parents or guardians for each dependent child.
Child benefit is usually formal; administrative; everyday (in countries where it is a common term). in register.
Child benefit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪld ˌben.ɪ.fɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪld ˌben.ə.fɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BENEFIT for a CHILD – a financial gift (benefit) from the state to help with your child's needs.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS A PILLAR / SUSTENANCE: The payment is seen as a foundational support ('a vital pillar of family income') or as nourishment for the family budget.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'child benefit' a high-frequency, specific administrative term?