One-off payments of £500 have been dropping into the bank accounts of those who claim working tax credits this week.
If you are eligible, the lump sum should have arrived yesterday, Friday April 23.
But if you haven’t received any money yet, we explain what to do and who to contact.
The £500 payment is a one-off sum given to families on working tax credit to help during the coronavirus crisis.
It follows a similar boost to the £20 weekly uplift for those on Universal Credit.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed the support as part of his Budget back in February.
Are you eligible for the £500 payment?
The first step is to check if you’re definitely eligible for the £500.
HMRC should have already contacted you if you’re due the payment - but it’s still worth checking the below criteria to see if you could be entitled.
The extra cash is available to those who, on March 2, 2021, received:
Working tax credit payments
Both working tax credit and child tax credit payments
Child tax credit payments and are eligible for working tax credit but do not get a payment because their income is too high
Millions of benefit claimants have now switched over to Universal Credit instead of tax credits.
But the complete move over to Universal Credit is not expected to be completed until 2024, meaning millions of families do still claim tax credits.
Check your bank account in case you missed it
The payment should have been made to the bank account where you normally receive your benefits.
Check your statement to see if anything has arrived in the last few days.
What to do if you haven't received the payment
For any issues in getting your payment, contact the tax credits helpline on 0345 300 3900.
It could also be worth doing this if you think you’re eligible, but haven’t heard anything from the government.
HMRC will be able to tell you if you should have got the payment, or if not, why you aren’t eligible.
The £500 sum is non-taxable, and it will not affect any other benefits you might be owed.
