Around half a million parents have today missed out on their child benefit payments due to a problem with HMRC.
Child benefit is paid to parents to help cover childcare costs and is usually paid every four weeks.
It is paid at two weekly rates: £26.50 for the eldest or only child and £16.95 for additional children.
However, many parents who checked their bank accounts this morning discovered that the payment had not been made, leaving some in the red.
Missing payment: HMRC confirmed that some customers had not received their child benefit
HMRC confirmed there is a ‘problem’ with child benefit payments. It is understood that around 30 percent of those expecting payments today were affected, equivalent to 500,000 customers.
A statement on
“Customers do not need to call us and we will provide updates here as they become available.”
Some parents have contacted X to complain about the missing payment
One social media user said: ‘I didn’t receive my child support today which is now overdrawn as my bills have come due. When will I get my money?!”
Another parent said the missing payment meant she had been unable to buy her son a bus pass to go to school.
Some said they were unable to reach HMRC’s helpline and had been cut off.
HMRC did not say what had caused the problem or when payments might be made.
A spokesperson said: ‘We are sorry that some customers’ child benefit payments have not arrived as planned and we are working urgently to resolve the issue.’
When will the payments be made?
Parents who have not received their child benefit now have to wait until Wednesday.
An HMRC spokesperson said: ‘We are very sorry that some customers have not received their scheduled child benefit payments as expected and we understand the concerns and problems this may have caused.
‘We have now resolved the problem and are taking measures to prevent this from happening again.
‘Affected customers will now receive their payments on Wednesday morning (June 5). Anyone who has suffered immediate financial loss due to the delayed payment can seek redress by completing our online complaints form.’
Have you been affected by a missing child benefit payment? Contact editor@thisismoney.co.uk