HMRC issues apology as half a million people miss out on child benefit payment after glitch

ITV News' reporter Olivia Guthrie has the latest from outside the HMRC offices in central London.

Around half a million people have been affected by an issue which meant that some child benefit payments did not arrive as scheduled.

Around 30% of child benefit payments scheduled for Monday were not made – equating to around 500,000 people being affected.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has apologised and said it is working urgently to resolve the issue.

An HMRC spokesperson said: "We’re sorry that some customers’ child benefit payments have not arrived as scheduled and we are working urgently to resolve the issue.

"The issues that caused payment problems today will not impact payments scheduled for tomorrow."

Child benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or a Tuesday.

Some people may receive the benefit weekly, for example, if they are a single parent or receiving certain other benefits, such as universal credit.

HMRC also placed a statement on X, formerly Twitter, which said: "We’re sorry that some customers’ Child Benefit payments have not arrived as scheduled and we are working urgently to resolve the issue.

"There’s no need for customers to call us and we will provide updates here as soon as they are available."

As of August 2023, 6.91 million families were in receipt of child benefit payments.

The weekly child benefit allowance is generally £25.60 for an eldest or only child and £16.95 per child for additional children.

People may be eligible for child benefit if they are responsible for a child under 16 and live in the UK.

The issue with payments was caused by a processing error.

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