HMRC has issued an update to the estimated 500,000 people still waiting to receive their Child Benefit payments today – with a new payment date for the next benefit paid out.
A glitch in banking systems has meant that roughly half a million Child Benefit claimants have not received the £102 or £168 they would normally get as a benefit payment for having kids.
The benefit from HMRC, issued to help with the costs of raising children – like nappies, equipment and feeding costs – is normally paid monthly on the same date.
But this morning thousands of people woke up to the news that their payment was missing from their bank account and left facing missing direct debits or not being able to buy food.
On Monday afternoon, HMRC apologised and said that people who normally get paid on its next date, Tuesday June 4, would be paid on time.
It said via Twitter (X): “We are working to get payments out as quickly as possible to those people who were expecting their Child Benefit today but didn’t get it.
“We are sorry for the delay and will give an update here soon. Payments due on Tuesday will be made on time.”
One person asked if it would definitely be today, but HMRC could only say: “Hi Chris, we have not been given a timeframe yet.”
People on child benefit who had failed to get the payments were fuming.
@lauramarrisx said: “This is just disgusting. You knew about the issue on Friday and chose to blame it on the banks?! And why is it only people like me getting affected today but not peoples who were due tomorrow?? If we owed YOU money we’d get fined for not paying.”
@iamme1980s said: “Tuesdays payments are fine and will be paid as normal. Yet ours we’re still waiting on . This clearly isn’t a problem with the payments getting sent to the banks after leaving the CB system , someone’s made a fudge up as the payment system is CLEARLY WORKING !! Heads need rolling”
@leighannelegg said: “Whilst I’m happy those who get paid tomorrow won’t face any delays, it’s a kick in the teeth to those of us who are struggling to get their payments today!! Parents having to bounce payments or not able to feed their children! An actual ETA would be nice”
@harrysfaveshirt said; “Ive worked finance and payroll and know the lack of answers means no payments today.”
