Child benefit arrives on Monday or Tuesday  except, that is, when there's a bank holiday.

Qualifying parents typically receive the payment every four weeks, but single parents can ask for it to arrive weekly instead, with the money hitting bank accounts by around 9am.

But when your payment date coincides with a bank holiday, you could be left without money for a lot longer than you think if something goes wrong.

That's because if you wait until the day itself, you'll discover the helplines closed for – well – the bank holiday.

The good news is that the money should be coming to you BEFORE the long weekend.

August bank holiday payment dates for child benefit and child tax credits

If you are expecting payments for August 26, you'll get it early on Friday, 23 August instead.

If your benefits are paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account, funds are generally available sometime after midnight on the day they are due, usually in the early hours.

According to website Tough Nickel , Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank are among the quickest, making your money available from 11.30pm the night before to 12.30am on the day itself.

Lloyds, Bank of Scotland and Metro Bank are also fast, with benefits arriving between midnight and 2am,

Barclays and Co-op generally have funds available from 1am to 2am, RBS from 2am to 3am, Natwest from 2am to 3.30am, Halifax from 3am to 4am, and HSBC and Santander from 6am to 9am.

What to do if your child benefit doesn't arrive

For problems with child benefit, you should contact the the helplines listed below.

However, you should do this ON the Friday, as you won't be able to speak to benefits staff on the Saturday, Sunday or the bank holiday Monday.

Helpline numbers for Child Benefit are:

• Telephone: 0300 200 3100

• Textphone for those with hearing problems: 18001 then 0300 200 3100

• Ouside the UK: +44 161 210 3086

Lines are open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday (closed on bank holidays).

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