Why has my child benefit been reduced?

CHILD benefit is paid to anyone with kids until they are 16-years-old, or 20 if they stay in education.

Millions of parents get the benefit each year which can boost income by hundreds of pounds.

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The benefit is worth £21.80 for the eldest child and £14.45 for subsequent children each week.

Child Benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.

But you can have the money paid weekly if you’re a single parent or getting certain other benefits like Income Support.

The money is usually paid by HMRC straight into you bank account.

Parents have complained that they have seen reduced payments hitting their account.

Here we explain what’s going on.

Why have my child benefit payments been reduced?

The bank holidays for the Queen’s Jubilee weekend have affected child benefit payment dates.

The amount you get won’t be affected – but you might see a lower payment earlier than usual, followed by a second payment for the rest.

Child benefit is being paid to some parents in two stages.

The first payment for some is hitting bank accounts today (May 27) and is for a weeks worth of the benefit.

A second payment will follow with three weeks worth of child benefit.

Here are the crucial dates you need to know.

When will I get by child benefit payments?

In an update on the government website, the payment changes were explained.

Payments normally made on Monday, May 30 and Tuesday, May 31 will be made early.

If you get paid every four weeks and were expecting payment on Monday, May 30 you’ll get:

• One week of payment on Friday, May 27
• Three remaining weeks of payment on Monday, May 30

If you get paid every four weeks and were expecting payment on Tuesday, May 31 you’ll get:

• One week of payment on Monday, May 30
• Three remaining weeks of payment on Tuesday, May 31

For those who get their payments weekly, they will get it a working day early for the usual amount.

So those expecting payment on Monday, May 30 will get it on Friday, May 27.

And those usually paid on Tuesday, May 31, will get payment on Monday, May 30.

Parents could find there child benefit stops altogether soon.

The benefit stops on the August 31 after a child turns 16 and you need to let the government know if they are continuing education to carry on getting the cash.

Meanwhile those on higher incomes may have to pay some, or even all of the money back.

Here’s what you need to know about the high income benefit tax charge if your income goes over £50,000.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk