CHILD benefit payments have been delayed leaving half a million parents out of pocket.
HMRC has confirmed issues with the system that sends the cash directly to bank accounts.
Child benefit is a valuable income top-up for families, worth £25.60 a week for an eldest or only child and £16.95 a week for any other children.
Over 7.65million households claim the free cash, according to the latest data, but not everyone is paid on the same day.
Child benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.
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If you're a single parent or receive certain other benefits, such as Universal Credit, you can have the money paid weekly.
However, around 500,000 parents have missed out on their usual child benefit payment today (June 3).
And thousands of furious customers have taken to social media to complain about the issue - with some unable to pay essential bills or forced into using an overdraft.
One parent said on X (formerly Twitter): "Can we at least be informed when child benefit will be paid for the ones now in overdraft due to bills!"
Another said: "Child benefit hasn't gone in.
"Seeing some kids unable to get to school because of no bus fare and others with no money for food."
A third said: "I couldn't take my kids to school and currently sat with no electricity with my four children.
"My local council offers no crisis support, and my supplier won't help.
"I have no one to even ask for a tenner to put the electric on. It's disgusting."
Although HMRC has not said what was behind the payments issue, it has not been fixed.
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But those affected by today's delays face a longer wait for their cash.
Payments due on Monday will now be made on Wednesday, June 5 instead.
An HMRC spokesperson said: “We are very sorry that some customers did not receive their scheduled Child Benefit payments as expected and we understand the concern and difficulty this may have caused.
"We have now fixed the problem and are putting measures in place to prevent this from happening again.
"Affected customers will now receive their payments on Wednesday morning
"Anyone who has incurred a direct financial loss because of the delayed payment can apply for redress by completing our online complaints form.”
Those who are expecting their payments on Tuesday will be paid as normal.
If you've been affected by the payment delay, get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Can I complain about delayed Child Benefit payments?
If you've been left in your overdraft or have found yourself falling into debt because your payment didn't arrive on time, you should make a note of this.
HMRC guidance states that you can make a complaint if you've faced "unreasonable delays".
You can:
- Complain online using your government gateway user ID and password by visiting www.access.service.gov.uk/login/signin/creds.
- Call or write to the Child Benefit Office.
HMRC says that telephone complaints are usually dealt with faster, so we'd recommend phoning 0300 200 3100.
However, the tax office is asking customers not to call this helpline with general queries about the payment delay.
If you write to the Child Benefit Office you'll need the following to hand:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your full name, address and telephone number
- Details of what happened and when
- Any reference numbers you’ve been given
- How you'd like your complaint settled
- The word "complaint" at the top of your letter
The Child Benefit Office will usually respond within 15 working days.
If you're unhappy with the response, ask the Child Benefit Office to review it - their letter will tell you how.
And if you're unhappy with the final decision, you can contact the Independent Adjudicator by visiting www.gov.uk/guidance/contact-the-adjudicators-office.
What is child benefit?
Child benefit is paid to parents to help cover the costs of childcare.
It is paid at two weekly rates - £25.60 for your eldest or only child and £16.95 for any additional children.
Payments are usually made every four weeks, on a Monday or Tuesday, but sometimes are made weekly.
If you are claiming child benefit for a child under 12, you also receive National Insurance (NI) credits.
NICs count towards your State Pension so claiming the benefit can be useful if you are missing any.
The reason NICs are so important is because you need 35 NIC years to receive a full new State Pension.
You are considered a parent, or responsible for a child, if you live with them and are paying at least the same amount as the Child Benefit rates to look after them - for example for food, clothes or pocket money.
It's important to note that eligibility changes if a child goes into hospital or care and if your child starts to live with someone else.
If you're not sure about your eligibility, you can contact the child benefit office.
Since 2013, if you or your partner earns over a certain amount, you also have to start paying some child benefit back.
Go over a second threshold and you have to pay it back in its entirety.
This is through what's known as the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).
The threshold through which you have to start paying money back is now £60,000 after it rose from £50,000.
The rate at which you have to pay the entire allowance back is £80,000, which recently increased from £60,000.
It's up to you to pay the charge, though, and if you don't, you can be stung with a nasty bill.