HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed that thousands of UK families will receive an early Child Benefit payment of £108.20 this month, ahead of the late summer Bank Holiday.
The early payment applies to households whose Child Benefit is due on Monday, August 31, which is a Bank Holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. When a benefit payment falls on a Bank Holiday, HMRC issues it on the earliest working day before, which in this case is Friday, August 28.
Why payments are being brought forward
Child Benefit is usually paid by HMRC every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday, so some payment dates can coincide with the August Bank Holiday. Claimants expecting a payment on August 31 will instead receive it three days earlier, ensuring they have the money before the long weekend.
HMRC said: “Child Benefit is usually paid every four 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 four 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.”
Payment rates and eligibility
Child Benefit is available to parents or guardians responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if they are in approved education or training. In the 2026-27 tax year, the weekly rate is £27.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.90 for each additional child, reflecting a 3.8% uplift on the previous year.
Because HMRC pays the benefit every four weeks, a family with one child can receive up to £108.20 per payment period, while those with additional children get £71.60 for each extra child. Claimants due a payment on the Bank Holiday will receive at least £108.20 on Friday, August 28.
James Murray, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, confirmed the 3.8% increase last year, stating: “The Tax Credits Act 2002 and Social Security Administration Act 1992 place a statutory duty on His Majesty’s Treasury to review the rates of child benefit each year in line with the general level of prices. There is a further statutory duty on the Treasury to increase guardians’ allowance in line with price growth. I have now concluded the review for the tax year 2026-27. 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%. Guardian’s allowance will also increase by the same rate.”
From April 6, 2026, the rate for the eldest child rises from £26.05 to £27.05 per week, the rate for other children rises from £17.25 to £17.90 per week, and guardian’s allowance rises from £22.10 to £22.95 per week.
High Income Child Benefit Charge
There is no limit on the number of children for whom parents can claim, and claims can be made 48 hours after a baby’s birth is registered. However, if a claimant or their partner has an individual income between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).
For the 2026-27 tax year, claimants must repay 1% of Child Benefit for every £200 earned above £60,000, and all of the benefit must be repaid if income is £80,000 or more. Those above the threshold can either receive the payments and pay the tax charge, or opt out of payments and avoid the charge.
