The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has informed Child Benefit claimants of a planned disruption to its online services on Wednesday, 9 September 2026. This scheduled maintenance will temporarily prevent access to certain functionalities, impacting users from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm.
During this window, parents aiming to register a newborn or initiate new Child Benefit claims may need to delay submissions until the system is operational again. Additionally, services such as logging in to update bank details, checking upcoming payment dates, or downloading proof-of-entitlement documents will be inaccessible. It is important to note that automatic payments of Child Benefit will continue without interruption.
Child Benefit is generally disbursed every four weeks directly into recipients' bank accounts. The HMRC app enables users to conveniently track their Child Benefit payments through a simple interface. Since April 2025, over 928,000 parents have utilised the HMRC app to manage claims, update personal information, add children, view documentation, and notify HMRC about their children’s education or training status.
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To submit a Child Benefit claim, parents must establish an online HMRC account. Claims can be made starting 48 hours after registering a child’s birth or when a child comes to live with the claimant. Benefit payments can be backdated up to three months from the claim date.
Only one individual may claim Child Benefit for each child, so families should decide who benefits most from making the claim. Claimants receive National Insurance credits that contribute to their state pension record, which can help fill gaps caused by unemployment or insufficient contributions. Couples can claim separately for different children, but only one can claim the higher rate for the eldest child in a household to avoid repayments.
Occasionally, claimants may receive incorrect payment amounts. In response to concerns raised by Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, HMRC emphasised its communication efforts, including distributing over 500,000 flyers with QR codes directing new parents to the Child Benefit claim page online. Information about appeals procedures and mandatory consideration rights accompanies all Child Benefit decision notifications.
For comprehensive guidance on claiming Child Benefit, parents are encouraged to visit the official government website.