DWP benefit payments including Universal Credit set for huge shake-up next month
Benefits might get paid earlier next month
Thousands of benefit claimants may find their payment date changes next month due to the August bank holiday.
If your payment is due on Monday, August 26, then you'll likely receive your money on Friday, August 23 instead. This is because the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not pay out benefits on bank holidays. This can affect payments including Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
But if you are due to get paid earlier, you will have to make your money stretch further as you'll have a longer wait until your next payment. Your benefits will be paid into your regular account as normal and the amount you're due to be paid will also remain the same.
Whether you get paid early or not all depends on when you normally receive your benefits. For example, Universal Credit is paid on the same day each month, while Tax Credits are typically paid every four weeks or weekly. Child Benefit is usually every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.
Have you had trouble receiving benefit payments? Let us know: [email protected]
See the full list of how often certain benefits are paid below:
Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks
Carer’s Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks
Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks, or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits
Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks
Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks
Income Support - Usually every two weeks
Jobseeker’s Allowance - Usually every two weeks
Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks
Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks
State Pension - Usually every four weeks
Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly
Universal Credit - Every month
What if I don't get paid?
If you don't get your benefit payment when you expected to, first check double-check the date on your award notice and your bank account. If you've got the right date, and the money isn't there, you should contact the relevant helpline. Do keep in mind these are unlikely to be open on bank holidays.
Universal Credit:
Call for free: 0800 328 9344
Welsh speaking: 0800 012 1888
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Child benefit:
Call for free: 0300 200 3100
Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086
Tax credits:
Call HMRC for free: 0345 300 3900
From outside the UK: +44 2890 538 192
Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance:
Call for free: 0800 169 0310
Textphone: 0800 169 0314
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310