After a mistake appeared to have been made to Child Benefit payments this month, worried parents took to social media. Instead of their usual payment date of a Monday, many checking their bank accounts found a random small payment due to credit on Friday (May 27), reports Newcastle Chronicle.
One quarter of the child benefit payment is being paid on Friday with the remaining three quarters on Monday, according to a recorded message on HMRC's helpline. But this was not communicated to parents nor mentioned on HMRC's website, and no explanation has been given as to why this has happened.
A HMRC spokesperson has said the changes are 'nothing to worry about'. But concerned parents took to Twitter on Thursday (May 26) to ask what is happening.
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@tsphipps said on Twitter: "For reasons I don’t understand, because of the Bank Holiday Monday (that isn't a BH) they’re paying one week tomorrow and the remaining three weeks on Monday 06/06/22," while @LouiseWoolley6 said: "I have a pending payment of just one week's worth showing, payment would usually be due on Monday?"
@realhousewif said: "Glad it's not just me. Terrible mistake to make," while @mirts88 said: "Impacting me too."
Parents who use online banking to see pending payments have had notice of the unexpected payment due to hit their accounts today, but those who don't see pending payments may be in for a shock, as there is no explanation that the rest of the payment will follow on Monday. HMRC has already publicised details of changes to payment dates if your child benefit is due next Monday (June 6) because of the Jubilee Bank Holiday, but no mention has been made to changes affecting payments due this Monday (May 30).
A HMRC spokesperson said: "In short, it's just processes and working them around the bank holidays, and nothing for customers to worry about. We usually process payments for customers on Thursday and Fridays for the following Monday and Tuesday.
"Of course this isn't possible because of the bank holidays falling on these two dates next week. Instead, we processed payments due Monday (May 30) and Tuesday (May 31) earlier this week, so we can process payments due on Monday June 6 early next week (as opposed to the usual Thursday / Friday.
"This will ensure customers receive payments due on Monday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 7 on time.
"In terms of the split payments, there were some things that we needed to iron out to ensure customers receive their payments on time because of the quirk of the double bank holiday, which is why they have been processed in this way. This however does not leave customers out of pocket as they will still receive the full amount on or before it is usually due.
"Customers paid weekly on a Monday, will receive payment on Friday (May 27) instead of Monday (May 30). Customers paid four weekly will receive one week of Child Benefit on Friday and three weeks of Child Benefit on Monday.
"Customers who are due weekly payments on Tuesday (May 31) will receive them on Monday. Customers who receive monthly Child Benefit payments will receive next week's payment on Monday and the remaining three weeks payment on Tuesday. We are updating the HMRC website to reflect this and be more clear."
