The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced changes to child benefit payments that could affect thousands of people in March. The changes are due to the upcoming Easter bank holidays which will see DWP offices shut and helplines closed.
This year Good Friday falls on Friday, March 29, Easter Sunday on Sunday, March 31 and Easter Monday on April 1 and these dates could all have an effect on when you'll be paid your benefits. If you're due to receive child benefit on or around these dates, you might get your money earlier than usual.
Both Good Friday and Easter Monday are bank holidays and neither the DWP or HMRC make any payments on these days because they're non-working days. This means that if you are due a payment on Friday, March 29 or Monday, April 1 it will this year be paid on Thursday, March 28 instead.
READ MORE: Start date given for enforcement on new 20mph limit roads in Wales
READ NEXT: Wales Air Ambulance report recommends closing two North Wales bases
If you are due to be paid on Saturday or Sunday March 30 or 31 you will also get your money on Thursday, March 28 instead, as benefits aren't paid on a weekend. If you're due your money on any other day you won't be affected by the bank holiday changes, reports Wales Online.
If your child benefit is due on a working day before or including 28 March, you'll receive it as usual. If your payment is due on April 2 or any working day after that, you will also get your money at the usual time.
You don't need to do anything - your payment will be made automatically by either the DWP or HMRC. However, getting your money earlier means you'll have to make your money last slightly longer until your next payment.
How much child benefit can I get?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is increasing the child benefit rate, which is claimed by over seven million people, in April. You could qualify for child benefit if you are a low-income household and are bringing up a child under 16 or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training.
It is paid every four weeks and also includes National Insurance contributions that go towards your state pension. From April 8, 2024 state benefits will rise in line with the government's CPI inflation figure for September 2023.
The new child benefit rates from that date will be as follows (remember, these are weekly rates, but child benefit is paid every four weeks):
Eldest or only child: £25.60 (up from £24).
Other children: £16.95 (up from £15.90).
If you receive child benefit for one child and get 13 payments in a year, the increase would mean you get £1,331.20 - a rise of £83.20 compared to 2023/24. If you claim for two children, it adds up to £2,212.60 in a year, up £137.80 compared to the current rates.
You can claim child benefit 48 hours after your child's birth is registered, or once a child comes to live with you. Child benefit can be backdated for up to three months and the best way to claim is online.
To do this, you'll need your child's birth or adoption certificate, your bank or building society details, your National Insurance number and your partner's National Insurance number, if you have one. To see more or to claim child benefit click here.
North Wales Live has launched a WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
