HMRC has issued a warning to Child Benefit claimants about a scheduled disruption to its online services. The tax authority posted an update on September 3 confirming that access to certain services would be affected on that date.
The notice states: "Due to scheduled maintenance, you will be unable to access our online service from 6:30pm to 11pm on Wednesday 9 September 2026. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."
What services are affected
Parents trying to register a newborn or initiate a new claim may have to wait until the system is restored before submitting. In addition, users may face issues logging in to update bank details, check the next payment date, or download proof-of-entitlement documents. Automatic payments will not be affected.
Child Benefit is typically paid every four weeks and is deposited directly into a bank account automatically. App users are able to monitor their Child Benefit payments with a simple swipe.
App usage and claiming guidance
Since April 2025, more than 928,000 parents have used the HMRC app to manage their Child Benefit account, including making a new claim, updating a change in circumstances, amending personal or bank details, adding additional children to a claim, viewing or printing Proof of Entitlement to Child Benefit, or telling HMRC their children are continuing in full-time, non-advanced education or approved training.
To submit a Child Benefit claim, parents need to set up an online HMRC account and will require the child's birth or adoption certificate, bank details, National Insurance number for themselves and their partner if they have one, and the child's original birth or adoption certificate and passport or travel document for children born outside the UK.
Claims can be made 48 hours after registering the birth of a child, or once a child comes to live with you. Child Benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months from the date of the claim.
Rules and incorrect payments
Only one person can claim Child Benefit for a child, so it is worth considering whether it is more beneficial for one parent or the other to make the claim. Whoever makes the claim will receive National Insurance credits towards their state pension. These credits can plug gaps in the record if a person is not currently working or does not earn enough to pay National Insurance contributions. Partners are able to claim for different children. If they live together, however, only one can claim at the higher rate for the eldest child in the household. Should both attempt to claim at the higher rate, they may have to repay some of the money.
Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, recently put a question to the Treasury regarding what guidance is available for those who believe they have not received the correct Child Benefit payments. Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury), responded: "HMRC administers Child Benefit and regularly undertakes communications campaigns in press and social media to encourage people to claim. Last year, over 500,000 flyers were issued to new parents with a QR code that takes customers straight to the Child Benefit claim page on GOV.UK. HMRC also regularly runs communication campaigns to remind families of the non-monetary benefits of claiming Child Benefit. HMRC includes information on customers' mandatory consideration and appeal rights in Child Benefit decision notices it sends to customers. Guidance on how to appeal a benefit decision, including Child Benefit, is also published on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision."
More information on how to claim Child Benefit is available on the GOV.UK web page.
