Child Benefit is a payment made to people who are responsible for bringing up a child aged below 16 or a young person under 20, if they are still in full-time education or on certain approved training courses.
The benefit is paid every four weeks, either on a Monday or a Tuesday, and there is no limit to how many children a parent or guardian can claim for.
However, the upcoming bank holiday on Monday, May 2, will mean anyone due a benefit payment on that date from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), including Child Benefit, Guardian’s Allowance, Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, will receive it early on Friday, April 29.
Child Benefit weekly payment rates from April 11
- Eldest or only child - £21.80
- Additional children - £14.45
The new weekly rate for Guardian's Allowance is £18.55.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has not yet confirmed whether there will be changes to payment dates for people receiving State Pension or benefits including Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance.
When will the money go into my account?
Depending on your bank, funds are available shortly after midnight on the day they are due, usually in the early hours.
Some banks deposit money into your account around 11.30pm so you can withdraw it before midnight on benefit payday. Others will release your funds at midnight or just a few minutes after that.
But in some cases you have to wait until between 2am and 3am, while others will not let you touch your money until at least 6am on payday.
Typical paying-in times for banks
Virgin Money, Clydesdale, Yorkshire - 11.30pm the night before to 12.30am
Lloyds - midnight to 1am
Bank of Scotland - midnight to 1.30am
Metro Bank - midnight to 2am
Barclays, Co-op - 1am to 2am
Natwest, RBS, Ulster Bank, Nationwide - 2am to 3am
Halifax - 3am to 4am
HSBC, Santander - 6am to 9am
What to do if payment does not go into your account
If your Child Benefit or Guardian’s Allowance payment does not go into your account, contact the Child Benefit office on 0300 200 3100 - lines are open between 8am and 6pm.
If your Tax Credits payment does not go into your account, contact HMRC on 0345 300 3900 - lines are open between 8am and 6pm.
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