HMRC Announces Early Child Benefit Payments for April
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed a significant change to payment schedules for households claiming Child Benefit in April, with many set to receive their funds earlier than expected, specifically before the Easter holiday period.
This adjustment is due to the upcoming bank holidays in April, which affect the usual payment dates. Child Benefit is typically distributed every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday, providing financial support to eligible parents or guardians responsible for children under 16, or under 20 if they are in approved education or training.
Payment Details and Schedule Changes
The current rate stands at £26.05 per week for the first child and £17.25 per week for each additional child. This translates to monthly payments of £104.20 for one child and an extra £69 for each further child. However, HMRC has noted that payment dates shift when they coincide with bank holidays.
In April, two bank holidays fall due to Easter: Good Friday on April 3 and Easter Monday on April 6. As a result, claimants who would normally receive their payment on Monday, April 6, will instead be paid five days earlier, on Tuesday, April 2.
HMRC advises beneficiaries to count four weeks forward from their last payment to determine future dates, but to skip this step if the payment was due on a bank holiday, as the dates differ. The agency also warns that payments might be delayed if banks are closed on the scheduled payment day, urging recipients to check with their banks for exact receipt dates.
Further Adjustments and Rate Increases
Another payment change is scheduled for May, affecting claimants due to receive payments on Monday, May 4. They will instead receive their funds on Friday, May 1, due to another bank holiday. These adjustments come alongside a positive development for claimants: a 3.8% uprating to Child Benefit rates starting from April 6.
From the beginning of the new tax year, the rate for the eldest or only child will increase to £27.05 per week, while the rate for all other children will rise to £17.90 per week. This boost provides an additional financial cushion for families managing household expenses.
These changes highlight HMRC's efforts to ensure timely support for families while adapting to holiday schedules, offering both earlier payments and enhanced benefits in the coming months.
