UK families claiming Child Benefit will benefit from some extra cash this month thanks to new payment rates – with some set to receive their money before Monday. Child Benefit is issued by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to eligible parents or guardians who are responsible for raising a child who is under the age of 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. Only one person can claim the benefit for a child, but there is no limit on the number of children you can claim for. Child Benefit provides an allowance for each child, which is paid every four weeks, and will also give claimants National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension.
Thanks to an uplift to payment rates on April 7, parents now get £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child and £17.25 per week for any additional children. The new rates mean that parents with one child now get an extra £42.48 per year, while those with two children are £15.60 better off.
Child Benefit is usually paid by HMRC every four weeks on either a Monday or a Tuesday, so parents with one child will get around £104.20 per month, while those with additional children will get £69 per month – but the payment dates change if it’s due on a bank holiday.
May is bookended by two bank holidays which fall on Monday, May 5, and Monday, May 26. This means those who would normally receive their payment on a Monday may be paid earlier than usual.
If your payment is due on Monday, May 5, HMRC has confirmed that you’ll instead be paid three days early on Friday, May 2. A further payment change will also affect claimants at the end of this month due to the second May bank holiday. If your payment is due on Monday, May 26, HMRC will instead issue your money three days early on Friday, May 23.
HMRC said: “Child Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. There are different payment dates if it’s due on a bank holiday.
“You can work out when you’re next going to get Child Benefit by counting 4 weeks forward from your last payment. Do not count forward if your payment was due on a bank holiday – the dates are different.
“Your payment might be delayed if the bank is closed for a public holiday on the day HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) pays you. Check with your bank for the date you’ll get your payment.”