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HMRC letter codes · Child Benefit (CH)

CH193Tell HMRC a child is looked after by a local authority

Last reviewed 14 October 2026 · How Tax Letters checks its facts

In short

GOV.UK says form CH193 is for a local authority (the council) to use, to tell the Child Benefit office that a child is being looked after by a local authority for 8 weeks or more.

“Use form CH193 to tell the Child Benefit office that a child is being looked after by a local authority for 8 weeks or more. … As a local authority, you must tell HMRC”

GOV.UK: Tell the Child Benefit office about a child being looked after by a local authority · checked 14 October 2026

Information, not advice: this page reports what HMRC, GOV.UK and the bodies named publish about CH193. Each fact has its source and the day it was checked beside it.

What it asks

GOV.UK lists what a local authority needs for CH193: the child’s given names and any other names the child is known by, the date the child started being looked after, and the contact details of the social worker, locum, duty social worker or clerk attached to the child.

“You’ll need the: … child’s given names and any other names the child is known by … date the child started being looked after by the local authority … contact details of the social worker, locum, duty social worker or clerk attached to the child”

GOV.UK: Tell the Child Benefit office about a child being looked after by a local authority · checked 14 October 2026

Time limits and rules

GOV.UK's page for CH193 says a local authority must tell HMRC as soon as it knows that a child will be looked after by it for 8 weeks or more, and must do this using the online service.

“As a local authority, you must tell HMRC as soon as you know that a child will be looked after by you, for 8 weeks or more. You must do this using the online service.”

GOV.UK: Tell the Child Benefit office about a child being looked after by a local authority · checked 14 October 2026

How to send it or apply

GOV.UK says a local authority using CH193 can sign in to apply online, or use an email address to get a confirmation code that it can use to sign in.

“sign in to apply online … use your email address to get a confirmation code that you can use to sign in”

GOV.UK: Tell the Child Benefit office about a child being looked after by a local authority · checked 14 October 2026

Free help and HMRC contacts

If you cannot find the answer in the official HMRC app, GOV.UK says to call HMRC on 0300 200 3100 with a question about Child Benefit, including one about a CH193 form. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, closed bank holidays, and GOV.UK links to its call charges page.

“Call HMRC if you have a question about Child Benefit and you cannot find an answer in the official HMRC app. … Telephone: 0300 200 3100 … Opening times: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Closed bank holidays. … Find out about call charges”

GOV.UK: Child Benefit: enquiries · checked 14 October 2026

Free help first

These routes are described by GOV.UK, TaxAid and Citizens Advice themselves.

  • HMRC's extra supportHMRC offers extra support if your health condition or personal circumstances make it difficult to contact HMRC, for example a mental health condition, financial hardship or being treated in hospital.
  • Someone to deal with HMRC for youYou can authorise a friend, relative or voluntary organisation to talk to HMRC for you and help you fill in forms.
  • TaxAidTaxAid helps people with tax problems who cannot pay for advice. Tax Help for Older People merged with TaxAid in July 2025.
  • Citizens AdviceCitizens Advice gives confidential advice online, over the phone and in person, for free.