HMRC confirms unexpected £108.20 payments for households before June

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will be sending unexpected early payments of £108.20 to eligible UK households before June.

The payment comes as a result of the spring bank holiday at the end of this month, meaning some households claiming Child Benefit will receive their money earlier than normal. HMRC has already issued early Child Benefit payments to households this month ahead of the early May bank holiday on May 4, and with a second bank holiday falling at the end of the month, it means Child Benefit payments will again be disrupted before returning to normal in June.

Child Benefit can be claimed by parents or guardians who are responsible for raising a child under the age of 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. The benefit is usually paid every four weeks, either on a Monday or a Tuesday, but as the spring bank holiday falls on Monday, May 25, some claimants will be paid early.

If a Child Benefit payment is due on a bank holiday, HMRC will instead issue the payment on the earliest working day before. As such, those expecting a payment on Monday, May 25, will instead receive three days early on Friday, May 22.

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.”

Child Benefit claimants will also receive an extra bit of cash this month as new payment rates take effect for the 2026/27 tax year.

The weekly payment rate for the eldest or only child has now increased from £26.05 to £27.05, while the weekly rate for each additional child has gone up from £17.25 to £17.90.

As Child Benefit is paid every four weeks, it means parents with one child will get £108.20 in four-weekly instalments (up from £104.20 previously) and those with additional children will get an extra £71.60 every four weeks (up from £69).

Confirming the 3.8% payment uplift for Child Benefit last year, 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.”