Thousands check bank accounts and spot unexpected £50 payment from HMRC

HMRC has been making thousands of £50 payments into bank accounts following an error impacting benefit payments. People may have spotted the special payment from HMRC when checking their account.

It comes after over half a million people did not receive Child Benefit payments on time at the start of June. Now, in recognition of that delay, which was put down to a processing error and left parents out of pocket, HMRC is making extra payments as a "goodwill gesture".

They will be made to people who suffered "distress" and went days without their benefits and others who suffered financial loss as a result, such as unexpectedly running into an overdraft or incurring direct debit charges. The latter could get more than £50, if they lost more than that amount. People must apply for the compensation payments and can do so on the Government website.

READ MORE: Octopus Energy makes admission over bills and says 'we're not'

READ MORE: Antler launch huge 20 per cent off sale including Jet2 and easyJet-approved cabin bags

Get our best money saving tips and hacks by signing up to our newsletter

Tax expert Andy Wood explained: "The up to £50 'bonus' payments serve as a gesture of goodwill from HMRC, recognising the processing error. Affected individuals must claim their entitlement promptly to receive timely payment.

“HMRC has confirmed that it is providing additional funds to individuals who experienced "distress" or incurred additional charges due to the delayed payments. In early June, more than five hundred thousand Child Benefit payments were not delivered punctually.”

"The delay in Child Benefit payments was attributed to a processing error within HMRC's systems. Such technical glitches are unfortunate but not uncommon in large-scale government operations, leading to temporary disruptions in service delivery."