HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that Child Benefit payments scheduled for May will be paid earlier than usual. With both May bank holidays falling on Mondays, payments initially planned for May 4 and May 25 will instead be made on May 1 and May 24, respectively.
Typically, Child Benefit is paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. However, to avoid delays caused by bank holidays, HMRC urges claimants not to count forward if their payment date falls on a holiday.
From April 6, the weekly payment rates increased to £27.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.90 for each additional child, representing annual amounts of £1,406.60 and £930.80 respectively. This increase translates to £44.95 per week, or approximately £180 per month, per claimant.
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Despite over 6.9 million families receiving Child Benefit payments, only 72% of eligible families claim the benefit within their baby’s first year. Since claims can only be backdated up to three months from the date HMRC receives them, many families may miss out on financial support.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, emphasized the ease and importance of claiming promptly: “Looking after a child can be expensive, especially for a newborn. Claiming Child Benefit through the app takes just a few minutes and ensures you receive vital financial assistance without delay.”
Anna Sharkey from the Money and Pensions Service encourages families to verify their eligibility using free online tools, highlighting that informed financial planning is essential for new parents.