HMRC has warned that Child Benefit payments may arrive later than usual during the Christmas period due to bank holidays
Parents throughout the UK have been warned by HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) that Child Benefit payments could be delayed over the Christmas period.
Child Benefit is financial assistance provided to parents and carers every four weeks, with a payment made for each child under their care.
This includes any children under 16, or those under 20 who are still in approved education or training. The current weekly rate is £26.05 for the eldest or only child, with £17.25 given for each additional child.
However, families may find their payments landing on a different date during the festive season. In a post on social media platform X, HMRC warned: “If you receive Child Benefit, your payment may arrive later than usual due to the upcoming bank holidays and local bank closures”.
According to GOV.UK: “Your Child Benefit payment is usually paid on a different date than usual if it’s due on a bank holiday.”
The amended payment dates are listed below if your Child Benefit falls due on any of these specific days:
- 29 December 2025 – it will be paid on 30 December (Northern Ireland only)
- 30 December 2025 – 31 December (Northern Ireland only)
- 5 January 2026 – 6 January (Scotland only)
- 17 March 2026 – 18 March (Northern Ireland only)
- 6 April 2026 – 2 April
- 4 May 2026 – 1 May
- 25 May 2026 – 22 May
- 13 July 2026 – 14 July (Northern Ireland only)
- 14 July 2026 – 15 July (Northern Ireland only)
- 3 August 2026 – 4 August (Scotland only)
- 4 August 2026 – 5 August (Scotland only)
- 31 August 2026 – 28 August
- 28 December 2026 – 24 December
- 29 December 2026 – 30 December (Northern Ireland only)
Confirming your eligibility
Your Child Benefit award notice will normally be adequate to demonstrate your entitlement to Child Benefit. However, it’s advisable to check with whoever is asking what form of proof they need and how long it remains valid, reports Chronicle Live.
If further evidence is necessary, you may be able to:
- Provide a bank statement showing Child Benefit being credited into your account
- Use the online service or the HMRC app to print your ‘proof of entitlement’ page or save it as a document to use as proof
If you choose the online service, you’ll need to log in. If you don’t already have login details, you can create them.
Once logged in, you’ll be alerted if there’s a need to confirm your identity. This is a step taken to protect your personal information and usually requires photo ID like a passport or driving licence.
For more information on getting proof, you can contact the Child Benefit Office. More details are available on GOV.UK.
