Easter falls on Sunday, April 9 this year which means some Child Benefit payments due to arrive on bank holiday Monday will be paid on Thursday, April 6. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has also updated online guidance for people in receipt of Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits due on Good Friday or Easter Monday - these will also be paid on April 6.
Last week, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed changes to upcoming payment dates to ensure people receive their money on a day when Jobcentre Plus offices and phone lines are open to deal with any queries.
Payments delivered by DWP including State Pension, Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and other benefits due to be made on Friday April 7, or Monday April 10, will be paid on Thursday April 6, 2023. DWP has also announced that office and phone lines will be open as usual from Tuesday, April 11. Below is a full list of payments due to be made early.
HMRC payment date changes over Easter weekend
Payments due to be made on Friday, April 7 or Monday, April 10 for the benefits listed below will be paid on Thursday, April 6.
Payments affected:
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Child Benefit
- Guardian’s Allowance
If the expected payment date is not shown, DWP said people will receive their money on their usual payment date.
DWP payment dates over Easter weekend
Payments due to be made on Friday, April 7 or Monday, April 10 for the benefits listed below will be paid on Thursday, April 6.
Payments affected:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension
- Universal Credit
HMRC recently published the new weekly payment rates for people claiming Child Benefit or Guardian’s Allowance, which will come into effect next month.
Child Benefit payment rates for 2023/24
There are two Child Benefit rates in place.
Current rates per week
- Eldest or only child - £21.80
- Additional children - £14.45
New rates per week - from April 2023
- Eldest or only child - £24.00 (£96 every four-week pay period)
- Additional children - £15.90 (£63.60 every four-week period)
How much is the increase?
This is an increase of £2.20 and £1.45 respectively per week and means the new, regular four-weekly payments will be £96.00 for an eldest or only child (an increase of £8.80) and £63.60 for any additional children (an increase of £7.60).
Over the next financial year, which starts on April 6, parents will receive an additional £114.40 and £75.40 respectively.
Guardian's Allowance rates from April 2023
The new weekly rate for Guardian's Allowance will be £20.40 - an increase of £1.85 on the current 2022/23 rate of £18.55. This is also paid every four weeks, which means payments will rise from £74.20 to £81.60.
How is Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance paid?
The payments come through every four weeks on a Monday or a Tuesday and the claimant will also be awarded National Insurance credits which can count towards their State Pension.
What age do Child Benefit payments stop?
Child Benefit can be claimed for any child below 16 or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training.
What if your circumstances change?
Any changes in circumstances which may affect a claimant’s eligibility must be reported to the Child Benefit office immediately.
What else you need to know
There is no limit on how many children can be claimed for, but only one person can receive Child Benefit.
HMRC have also announced the new allowances for Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits - see the new threshold rates on GOV.UK here.
How do earnings affect Child Benefit?
Anyone can claim Child Benefit if they are responsible for a child, but earnings may have an effect on the payments. If the claimant or their partner earns more than £50,000 a year, they will need to pay back some of the Child Benefit as Income Tax.
One per cent of the family’s Child Benefit will need to be paid back for every £100 earned over £50,000 each year. If over £60,000 is earned in a year then all of the Child Benefit claimed will need to be paid back.
It is possible to stop or restart a claim at any point and free support is available for anyone who needs help with their application.
For more information on Child Benefit, visit GOV.UK, here.
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