HMRC says a new Child Benefit claim can take up to 12 weeks to process, although some claims are dealt with sooner. If your claim is approved, payments are usually made every four weeks, and HMRC may pay arrears from the date you claimed or the child’s birth, subject to the relevant rules. You can usually backdate a claim by up to three months, so it is worth applying promptly. Check your claim through your HMRC account or contact the Child Benefit Office if you have been waiting longer than expected.