Parents have been left baffled after what many thought was a mistake in their Child Benefit payments for May. Checking their bank accounts yesterday (Thursday, May 26), many found a small payment was due to be credited today (Friday) when they were expecting the full usual payment on Monday.
HMRC has told parents not to worry as it's all linked to the bank holidays around the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. One quarter of the benefit is being paid today (Friday, May 27) and the rest on Monday.
Concern was sparked as there was no explanation for the split payment and there was no forewarning to parents. Neither was it mentioned on the HMRC website, ChronicleLive reports.
A HMRC spokesperson said the changes 'was nothing to worry about', but parents went on social media to share their concerns.
@LouiseWoolley6 said: "I have a pending payment of just one weeks worth showing, payment would usually be due on Monday?" @tsphipps said: "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"
@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 had notice of the unexpected payment due to hit their accounts on Friday, 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 have 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).
An 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 30 and Tuesday 31 May earlier this week, so that we can process payments due on Monday 6 June early next week (as opposed to the usual Thursday/Friday). This will ensure customers receive payments due on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 June 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 quick 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 27 May 2022 instead of Monday 30 May.
"Customers paid four weekly will receive one week of Child Benefit on Friday 27 May and three weeks of Child Benefit on Monday 30 May.
Customers who are due weekly payments on Tuesday, May 31 will receive them on Monday, May 30. Customers who receive monthly Child Benefit payments will receive one weeks payment on Monday, May 30 and the remaining three weeks payment on Tuesday, May 31. We are updating the HMRC website to reflect this and be more clear."
