Child Benefit payment dates
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1. When you get paid
Child Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.
There are different payment dates if it’s due on a bank holiday.
You can get Child Benefit paid weekly if you’re a single parent or if you or your partner are getting certain benefits, such as Income Support.
This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
Your first payment
Check your award notice to find out when your first payment is due. You can count forward 4 weeks from this date to work out when you’ll get it next.
You might not get your first payment for 12 weeks (it can be longer if you’ve just moved to the UK). It will be backdated for up to 3 months.
Working out your next payment
You can work out when you’re next going to get Child Benefit by counting 4 weeks forward from your last payment. Do not count forward if your payment was due on a bank holiday - the dates are different.
Find out when you last got paid
You can either:
- check your bank statement - the payment reference will begin with ‘HMRC Child Benefit’ and is made up of 18 characters
- view your Child Benefit payment history online and see up to 5 previous payments
You’ll need to sign in to use this service. If you do not already have sign in details, you’ll be able to create them.
You’ll be told when you sign in if you need to prove your identity. This is to keep your details safe and usually involves using photo ID like a passport or driving licence.
If you have not got your payment
Check your payment date and contact your bank before calling the Child Benefit Office if a payment is late.
Your payments may have stopped because:
- you have not told the Child Benefit Office your bank has changed or about your child’s education plans after they turn 16
- you have not replied to a letter from the Child Benefit Office
- your child now lives with someone else
- you’re no longer eligible to claim Child Benefit
Report changes of circumstances to make sure your payments are correct.
2. Bank holidays
Your Child Benefit payment is usually paid on a different date than usual if it’s due on a bank holiday.
| Due date | Payment date |
|---|---|
| 29 December 2025 | 30 December (Northern Ireland only) |
| 30 December 2025 | 31 December (Northern Ireland only) |
| 5 January 2026 | 6 January (Scotland only) |
| 17 March 2026 | 18 March (Northern Ireland only) |
| 6 April 2026 | 2 April |
| 4 May 2026 | 1 May |
| 25 May 2026 | 22 May |
| 13 July 2026 | 14 July (Northern Ireland only) |
| 14 July 2026 | 15 July (Northern Ireland only) |
| 3 August 2026 | 4 August (Scotland only) |
| 4 August 2026 | 5 August (Scotland only) |
| 31 August 2026 | 28 August |
| 28 December 2026 | 24 December |
| 29 December 2026 | 30 December (Northern Ireland only) |
You can work out when you’ll be paid.
Public holidays in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Your payment might be delayed if the bank is closed for a public holiday on the day HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) pays you.
Check with your bank for the date you’ll get your payment.
Local holidays in Scotland
Your payment might be delayed because of local holidays if you live in the following places:
- Glasgow - local holiday on 28 September
- Edinburgh - local holiday on 21 September
- Dundee - local holiday on 5 October