Families across the UK claiming Child Benefit now get a bit of extra cash each month thanks to new payment rates this year - with some set to receive their money earlier than normal in August due to the summer bank holiday.
Child Benefit is issued by His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to eligible parents or guardians who are responsible for raising a child under the age of 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. It can only be claimed by one person for a child, but there isn't a cap on the number of children you can claim for. The benefit provides families with an allowance per month for each child they care for, which is paid every four weeks by HMRC.
Child Benefit rates were uplifted by 1.7% back in April, at the start of the new financial year, which means families now get slightly more cash per month. Under the new rates, parents now get £26.05 per week for one child (or £1,354.60 per year), and for each additional child they get £17.25 per week (or £897 per year.
So if you have two children you'll get £2,251.60 per year and those with three children will get £3,148 per year. But there's no limit - other than the Benefit Cap - which means if you had four children, or five, and so on, you could get even more than £3,148, with £897 for each additional child.
Child Benefit is usually paid by HMRC every four weeks on either a Monday or a Tuesday, so parents with one child will get £104.20 per month, and those with additional children will get £69 per month - but the payment dates change if it's due on a bank holiday.
The August summer bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland falls at the end of the month on Monday, August 25, so those who would normally get their payment on a Monday may be paid earlier than usual. If your payment is due on Monday, August 25, HMRCwill instead pay you three days early on Friday, August 22, as this is the earliest working day before.
In Scotland, the August bank holiday falls at the start of the month on Monday, August 4, so families who are expecting a payment on this date should have recieved it early on Friday, August 1, instead.
HMRC said: "Child Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. There are different payment dates if it's due on a bank holiday.
"You can work out when you're next going to get Child Benefit by counting 4 weeks forward from your last payment. Do not count forward if your payment was due on a bank holiday - the dates are different.
"Your payment might be delayed if the bank is closed for a public holiday on the day HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) pays you. Check with your bank for the date you'll get your payment."
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