HMRC has now admitted there is an issue with child benefit payments, after initially denying there were any problems.
It comes after thousands of parents voiced complaints over the weekend after not receiving the payment.
The agency acknowledged the reports but issued a statement on Monday morning to dismiss any issues and urged people to check their bank accounts.
However, an hour later, they issued an update admitting they were “aware some customers’ child benefit payments have not arrived”.
HMRC’s initial statement read: “There are no issues with the child benefit system. Although payments can arrive in customer’s accounts over the weekend, they aren’t actually due until Monday or Tuesday.
“We suggest customers check their accounts after the weekend.” This was swiftly followed by a second statement which read: “We are aware some customers’ child benefit payments have not arrived and we are working to resolve the issue.”
Child benefit is received if you’re responsible for raising a child who is under 16, or under 20 if they remain in approved education or training, reports Wales Online.
Only one person can receive child benefit for a child, but there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for. An allowance is paid to a parent for each child, typically every four weeks, but it can be paid weekly.There’s growing outrage at this lapse in the system.
A disgruntled Wales Online reader complained: “So awful, all these parents not receiving the basics of child benefit. First day back at school for some too.
“I bet they’ve managed to take money out of people’s banks if they’re owed anything though.”
Another said: “Mine goes in every Monday without fail, it’s due date and nothing there, usually in just after midnight but here we are after 8am and nothing so there clearly is an issue somewhere.”
“A third reader vented her frustrations loudly, saying: “There must be an issue, for so many people to still not have received it!
“Ours is due today and still nothing.”
However, others reported no issues whatsoever with their payments, with one respondent commenting, “I’ve had mine, went in at 12 on the dot last night. And another reader said that everything was fine with their payment too, adding: “Mine went in this morning.”
