MILLIONS of households could see a major change to their benefits within the coming weeks.
Bank holidays could see your usual payment date change but others could be at risk of a pay cut if they don’t renew their claims by a certain date.
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Hundreds of thousands more working parents will see a huge boost to childcare payments.
But others will need to renew claims for child benefit if their children turn 16 this year.
Plus, those with younger kids need to urgently put in claims to get free childcare hours before it’s too late.
Here are the six key dates that could affect your Universal Credit and benefits entitlements within weeks.
1. Payments for Scottish parents – act now
If you are living in Scotland have a child born between 1 March 2018 and 28 February 2019, you might be able to get a School Age Payment of £294.70.
Applications first opened on June 1, 2022. They’ll close on 29 February 2024 but it’s worth applying for the cash now so you don’t forget.
You can spend this money on anything you need for your child at this age. This could include:
- Clothes
- School trips
- Stationery for school
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You can get the payment for multiple children, as long as each child is the right age when you apply.
Visit the Scottish Government’s website to apply.
2. 30 hours free childcare – July 21 deadline
Parents who have a child who has turned or is set to turn three between April 1 2023 and August 31 2023 can take up the offer of 30 hours of free childcare for working families.
You need to apply before July 31.
Most people can claim 30 hours of free childcare as long as:
- You live in England
- Your child is 3 to 4 years old
The childcare:
- Must be with an approved childcare provider
- Stops when your child starts in reception class (or reaches compulsory school age, if later)
Parents can apply for the support at Gov.UK.
You’ll need your details (and your partner’s, if you have one), including your:
- National Insurance number
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed
It usually takes 20 minutes to apply. You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to seven days.
3. Renew tax credit claims – July 31 deadline
Hundreds of thousands of households have just weeks left to reapply for tax credits or face having their payments.
Households have until July 31 to check the information in their renewal pack is correct and respond to HMRC.
More than 500,000 people claim tax credits and will need to reply to HMRC by the deadline to confirm them for the 2023/24 tax year.
If they don’t, they risk losing up to £3,685 a year, the benefit could be stopped and they might even have to pay some of it back.
Anyone on tax credits also needs to inform the taxman of any changes to their circumstances which might affect their claim.
Eligible households should have received a letter in the post between May 2 and June 15.
4. Universal Credit childcare boost
The amount of childcare cash parents on Universal Credit can claim went up from £646 to £951 for one child, and from £1,108 to £1,630 for two on June 28.
However, it’s important to note that while the new rates have already come into force, most won’t see their payments rise until August.
This is because of the way in which the assessment period for Universal Credit work.
For example, if your assessment period started after June 28, you should see an increase at the beginning of August.
And if your assessment period started before June 28, you should see the increase in the middle or end of August.
5. Bank holiday payments change – August 28
Thousands of people claiming Universal Credit could see a change to their payments within the coming months.
If you’re due to receive your payment on the August summer bank holiday you might see cash hit your bank account before your usual payment date.
Payments will be made on August 25 instead of August 28.
If your payment falls outside of these dates, you shouldn’t expect any changes at all.
But if you are affected and don’t receive your benefit payment one working day before the bank holiday, you should contact DWP directly.
You can also submit a complaint to them to get a problem sorted if your payment is wrong.
6. Child benefit change – August 31 deadline
Parents and carers whose 16-year-olds are continuing in full-time education need to let the Government know before August 31 or their child benefit payments will stop.
This is because payments automatically stop on August 31 on or after your child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training.
Households are usually sent a letter in their child’s last year at school asking you to confirm their plans.
Some families can also apply for a child benefit extension when their children’s education or training comes to an end.
You could get child benefit for 20 weeks if your child leaves approved education or training and either:
- Registers with their local careers service, Connexions (or a similar organisation in Northern Ireland, the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein)
- Signs up to join the armed forces
Households can apply for the extension at Gov.UK or by calling HMRC on 0300 200 3100.
