HMRC has confirmed an issue with child benefit payments after thousands of parents complained they had not received them.
The tax authority said it was trying to resolve the batch processing problem, details of which emerged at the weekend.
This meant that around 30 per cent of Monday’s scheduled payments did not go through.
We’re sorry that some customers’ Child Benefit payments have not arrived as scheduled and we are working urgently to resolve the issue.
— HM Revenue & Customs (@HMRCgovuk) June 3, 2024
There's no need for customers to call us and we will provide updates here as soon as they are available. pic.twitter.com/Z7voukPAes
Child benefit, which pays £25.60 for an eldest or only child and £16.95 for additional children, is a vital source of supplementary income for many families.
People receive it if they are the parent of a child under 16 — or under 20 provided the child continues in authorised education or training.
The number of children for whom you may file claims is unlimited, but only one person can get the payment for each child.
The payments, usually made every four weeks, arrive on Monday or Tuesday.
Data from August 2022 showed that 7.7 million families claimed child benefit, with 7.01 million receiving payments.
The BBC reported on Monday (June 3) that half a million people had not received their payments, while angry parents flooded social media with complaints.
One user said on X, formerly Twitter: “Can we at least be informed when child benefit will be paid for the ones now in overdraft due to bills!”
Another said: “@HMRCcustomers woken up for the first time to find child benefit not there. Never had an issue. Now no one is answering the phone and we have no idea what's going on”
@HMRCcustomers woken up for the first time to find child benefit not there. Never had an issue. Now no one is answering the phone and we have no idea what's going on
— Alexandra Pearson (@alexpearsonUK) June 3, 2024
Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis said HMRC did not know the cause of the issue or when it would be fixed.
Those impacted can complain to HMRC for redress once the issue has been resolved.
Details about doing that can be found here.
#ChildBenefit update - pls share
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) June 3, 2024
After my Twitter poll earlier which indicates 80% of those expecting child benefit payments this morning haven't got them, we contacted HMRC. It's told us...
- 30% of people who should have been paid today haven’t been (possible, the poll…
Parents who have not received their payments are advised not to contact HMRC until the issue is resolved.
