HMRC confirms early £108.20 benefit payments in May — are you affected?

Joe Sledge
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:38:44 +0000

UK families receiving Child Benefit will get their payments early next month as both May bank holidays fall on Mondays.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) confirmed that payments due on May 4 will instead be made on May 1, while those scheduled for May 25 will be brought forward to May 24.

It is standard practice for HMRC to move benefit payments to the nearest working day when they fall on a bank holiday.

“Child Benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday,” the tax authority said, adding that payment dates differ when bank holidays intervene.

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Claimants were also advised to check with their bank if payments appear delayed.

Child Benefit is available to parents and guardians caring for children under 16, or under 20 if they remain in approved education or training.

Payments typically arrive every four weeks, and recipients can calculate their next date by counting four weeks from the previous payment — unless the last instalment was moved because of a bank holiday.

“Do not count forward if your payment was due on a bank holiday,” HMRC said.

Families are also receiving higher payments this month as new rates take effect for the 2026–27 tax year.

The weekly amount for the eldest or only child has risen from £26.05 to £27.05, while the rate for additional children has increased from £17.25 to £17.90.

On a four‑week cycle, this equates to £108.20 per month for one child, up from £104.20, and £71.60 per month for each additional child, up from £69.

The uplift reflects the 3.8 per cent Consumer Prices Index (CPI) figure from September 2025.

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Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said the Government is legally required to review Child Benefit rates each year in line with inflation.

“I have decided to increase child benefit rates in line with the consumer prices index for the year to September 2025, which is 3.8 per cent,” he said, confirming that Guardian’s Allowance has also risen, from £22.10 to £22.95 per week.

The changes took effect on April 6 at the start of the new tax year.

Child Benefit also provides automatic National Insurance credits for parents of children under 12, helping to protect their State Pension record during years spent out of work or on low earnings.

These credits can be transferred to a partner or family member who provides childcare if the main carer does not need them.

Families whose circumstances change, for example after a separation or when households merge, may see their entitlement adjusted, with the higher rate always tied to the eldest child in the home.

Higher‑earning households may also face the High Income Child Benefit Charge, which can reduce or cancel out the value of payments, though they can still claim to retain the pension credits.

Claimants can choose to receive payments weekly if they are a single parent or receive certain other benefits.

Only one bank account can be used for payments, and some account types are excluded.

A child’s National Insurance number is also issued automatically when Child Benefit is claimed, removing the need for a separate application.