Many Derry parents left without Child Benefit payments, to be paid later this week
About half a million people in total have been left without their Child Benefit payment, after a technical issue at HMRC. Affected parents advised to keep receipts.
HMRC said a batch processing issue meant around 30% of Monday’s scheduled payments did not go through and would not be made until Wednesday.
Many Derry parents took to social media to complain about the missing money with some saying they had been left unable to buy food or pay for their child’s bus fare.
HMRC, which administers Child Benefit payments, says that anyone who has incurred a loss can apply for redress.
The payments, which are usually made every four weeks, normally arrive on a Monday or Tuesday.
People can claim Child Benefit if they are responsible for bringing up a child under 16, or under 20 if they are in approved education or training.
Only one parent receives the payment per child, but there is no limit to how many children you can claim for.
Anyone impacted by the technical problems can submit a complaint online.
Those affected are advised to keep any evidence such as receipts or screenshots to add to their complaint if they want to claim redress.