HM Revenue and Customs has confirmed that some UK households claiming Child Benefit will receive early payments of £108.20 in May. Parents or guardians who are responsible for raising a child under 16 or under 20 if they remain in approved education or training can claim Child Benefit. The benefit is normally paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday but the usual payment schedule will change in May because of two bank holidays.
The May bank holidays occur at the start and end of the month on Monday May 4 & Monday May 25 so some claimants will get their payments earlier than expected. When a Child Benefit payment falls on a bank holiday HMRC issues the payment on the last working day before the holiday.
This means people who should receive a payment on Monday May 4 will get it on Friday May 1 instead and those expecting a payment on Monday May 25 will receive it on Friday May 24.
HMRC explained that Child Benefit is normally paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday but there are different payment dates when it falls on a bank holiday. Claimants can calculate their next payment date by counting four weeks forward from their last payment.
They should not count forward if their payment was due on a bank holiday because the dates are different. Payments might be delayed if the bank is closed for a public holiday on the day HMRC processes the payment. Claimants should check with their bank for the exact date they will receive their payment. Child Benefit claimants will also get extra money this month as new payment rates come into effect for the 2026/27 tax year.
The weekly payment rate for the eldest or only child has increased from £26.05 to £27.05 and the weekly rate for each additional child has risen from £17.25 to £17.90. Since Child Benefit is paid every four weeks parents with one child will now receive £108.20 per month instead of £104.20 and those with additional children will get an extra £71.60 per month instead of £69.
James Murray who is Chief Secretary to the Treasury confirmed the 3.8% payment increase for Child Benefit last year. He said the Tax Credits Act 2002 & Social Security Administration Act 1992 require the Treasury to review child benefit rates each year in line with general price levels. There is also a requirement for the Treasury to increase guardian’s allowance in line with price growth.
He completed the review for the 2026-27 tax year and decided to increase child benefit rates in line with the consumer prices index for the year to September 2025 which was 3.8%. Guardian’s allowance will also increase by the same rate. From April 6 2026 the child benefit rate for the eldest child will increase from £26.05 to £27.05 per week and the 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.
