When will child benefit be paid in December? How Christmas affects payment dates
Christmas is just days away, but this expensive time of year means many households are struggling with finances, particularly during a cost of living crisis.
This is especially acute for those in receipt of benefits, who are feeling extra pressure when it comes to budgeting and spending over the festive season.
Furthermore, benefit payment dates may change slightly during this period as a result of bank holidays.
Here is when child benefits claimants can expect to receive their money this Christmas.
When will child benefit be paid in December?
According to the Government, if your payment date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, you will usually be paid on the working day before.
This means that some payments will be made earlier if they are due between 25 December 2023 and 1 January 2024.
Child benefit is typically paid every four weeks, on a Monday or Tuesday. You can have the money paid weekly if you’re a single parent or getting certain other benefits, such as income support. There is no limit to how many children you can claim for.
If you are due to be paid on 25 or 26 December, you can expect to receive payment on Friday 22 December.
And if you’re expecting to be paid on 1 January, you can expect payment on Friday 29 December.
Is child benefit going up?
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in November that benefits will rise by 6.7 per cent in his Autumn Statement.
The rise is in line with September’s inflation rate, meaning it is above the 4.6 per cent inflation figure recorded in October.
However, people on benefits are getting less of a boost than pensioners, who will see the state pension rise by 8.5 per cent after the Chancellor confirmed the triple lock will remain intact.
At present, you child benefits claimants receive £24 per week for a first child, and £15.90 for each additional child.
From April 2024, the 6.7 per cent increase means recipients will receive £25.60 for a first child, and £16.95 for each additional child.
For a family with two children, this is an increase of £2.65 a week, or £137.80 a year.
Any child benefit payments you get will count towards the benefit cap. If you are affected by the cap, you will still get the full amount for your child benefit payments but your other benefits may be reduced.
If you or your partner earn more than £50,000 per year you may be taxed on your child benefit. If you earn more than £60,000, you will lose all of your benefit to tax.
