Half a million left without Child Benefit payment
A significant technical issue at HMRC has resulted in approximately half a million individuals not receiving their scheduled Child Benefit payments. Due to a batch processing error, around 30% of Monday’s payments failed to be processed and will now be delayed until Wednesday.
This delay has caused widespread frustration among parents, many of whom took to social media to voice their concerns. Some have reported severe impacts, such as being unable to buy food or pay for their child’s bus fare.
HMRC has acknowledged the problem and advised that anyone who has incurred a financial loss due to the delay can apply for redress.
Financial Strain on Families
Child Benefit payments provide £25.60 a week for the first child and £16.95 for each additional child. The benefit is available in full to individuals earning up to £60,000 annually and is entirely withdrawn for those earning £80,000 or more. These payments are typically made every four weeks, arriving on either a Monday or Tuesday, though they can sometimes appear over the weekend.
Laura, a mother from Sussex, described the anxiety caused by the missing payment. She relies on the benefit to cover direct debits for her TV license and her daughter’s school clubs and has had to borrow money to manage until the end of the week. Laura expressed her frustration at the lack of communication from HMRC, describing the situation as a “guessing game.”
Impact on Vulnerable Families
People eligible for Child Benefit include those responsible for raising a child under 16, or under 20 if they are in approved education or training. Only one parent can receive the payment per child, but there is no limit to the number of children for whom a parent can claim.
Susan MacDonald from Dundee, a mother of two who cannot work due to a chronic illness, relies heavily on Child Benefit to make ends meet. She expressed distress over the delay, worrying about affording gas and electricity. Susan recounted her struggle to get information from HMRC, experiencing long wait times and limited communication. She emphasized that waiting until Wednesday for the payment is not sufficient, highlighting the emotional toll the situation has taken on her.
Seeking Redress
Those affected by the technical issue are encouraged to keep evidence of their financial losses, such as receipts and screenshots, to support their complaints to HMRC. The tax authority has set up a process for affected individuals to submit complaints online.
In summary, the technical glitch at HMRC has led to significant inconvenience and financial strain for many families reliant on Child Benefit payments. While HMRC works to resolve the issue, affected individuals are advised to document their losses and seek redress through the official channels.
