HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed that UK households claiming Child Benefit will receive payments of £108.20 earlier than usual in August due to the summer bank holiday. The payments, normally issued every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday, will be disrupted if the scheduled date falls on a bank holiday.
Scotland payment dates
In Scotland, the summer bank holiday is observed on Monday, August 3. HMRC's Child Benefit payment timetable confirms that households due to be paid on this date will instead receive it a day later on Tuesday, August 4. Those expecting a payment on Tuesday, August 4, may also see it delayed to Wednesday, August 5, because of bank processing times affected by the holiday. HMRC stated that payments can take up to three working days to clear, and bank holidays during this period may cause a delay. The exact date may vary depending on the specific bank, as some may credit payments sooner than others.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland dates
Households in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will also experience disruptions, but at the end of August. The bank holiday in these regions is on Monday, August 31. HMRC's payment timetable indicates that households expecting a payment on this date will instead receive it on the earliest working day before, which is Friday, August 28.
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.”
Payment rates for 2026/27
Child Benefit can be claimed by parents or guardians responsible for a child under 16, or under 20 if in approved education or training. As of April 6, 2026, rates increased by 3.8% for the 2026/27 tax year, adding an extra £1 per week for the first child and 65p per week for each subsequent child. Weekly rates are now £27.05 for the first or eldest child and £17.90 for additional children, an annual increase of £52 and £33.80 respectively. Paid every four weeks, this amounts to £108.20 per payment period for one child, with an additional £71.90 per extra child.
Confirming the 3.8% uplift, James Murray, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: “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 guardian’s 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. This means that, from 6 April 2026: the child benefit rate for the eldest child will increase from £26.05 to £27.05 per week; the child benefit rate for other children will increase from £17.25 to £17.90 per week; guardian’s allowance will increase from £22.10 to £22.95 per week.”
