DWP shake-up will see thousands get Universal Credit payments early this week
As the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) doesn't make payments on bank holidays, if you were due money on Monday, May 26, then you will have had it paid earlier on Friday, May 23 instead.
The change is completely normal as it aims to ensure claimants have access to their benefits before the long weekend to prevent any financial strains that delayed payments could cause. If you were not aware of this, the early payment may come as a surprise.
If your benefit payment is affected by this month's bank holiday, then you do not need to do anything. The DWP will pay the money into your account as normal - just a little earlier. The amount you get will also remain the same, and it will also be paid into the same account in which you normally receive your benefit payment.
The next payment shake-up will come in August with the August bank holiday which this year falls on August 25. After this, payment dates will be shaken up again in December because of the Christmas bank holidays.
If your money does not arrive in your account on the new payment date, you will need to contact the department that pays your benefit as soon as possible. You can find the relevant support numbers on the government's official website. You can reach its Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
It's important to note that support lines are not open on the bank holiday so you will need to contact them the day the payment is due. If not, you will have to wait until after the bank holidays.
Join Money Saving Club's specialist topics
In association with Money Saving Club
For all you savvy savers and bargain hunters out there, there's a golden opportunity to stretch your pounds further. The Money Saving Club newsletter, a favourite among thousands who thrive on catching the best deals, is stepping up its game.
Simply follow the link and select one or more of the following topics to get all the latest deals and advice on: Travel; Property; Pets, family and home; Personal finance; Shopping and discounts; Utilities.
SIGN UP HERE
Depending on your bank, your benefit payments are available sometime after midnight on the day they are due. Some banks deposit money into your account around 11.30pm so you can withdraw it before midnight on benefits payday.
It's also very important to note that although receiving your benefits earlier may sound like a good thing, it does mean that you need to make your money last longer.
When are benefits normally paid?
Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks
Carer's Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks
Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks
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
Universal Credit - Every month
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Seven reasons DWP could stop or reduce PIP payments including missing form
Changes in your circumstances can alter your benefits entitlement, but a number of simple mistakes can also put your PIP payments in jeopardy PIP offers crucial financial aid and opens doors to a variety of other support for nearly 3.7 million individuals in England and Wales alone. With up to £749 on offer each month, any sudden cessation or reduction of these payments can blow a gaping hole in household finances. There are numerous reasons why the DWP might adjust someone's benefit payments. In relation to PIP, one of the most common causes is a shift in the claimant's condition or needs, meaning they no longer fit the eligibility criteria for the disability benefit. Changes in your living circumstances can also trigger a stop or cut in your benefits. For instance, if you're hospitalised or in a care home for 28 consecutive days, your payments will be put on hold, but should automatically resume once you're discharged. Even while in a care home, the mobility component of PIP will continue to be paid as usual, according to Citizens Advice. Another scenario where this benefit could be reduced is due to inadequate communication with the DWP, such as failing to return a review form. if you're in contact with the DWP, they may grant you extra time to submit the documents, stopping your benefits from going off-track. If you fail to show up for a medical assessment, your benefits will be halted until you attend one. You can arrange another assessment with the DWP and if it's determined that you're still entitled to the benefit, they'll backdate your payment to cover the period you missed out on. Travelling abroad can also affect your benefit payments. If you're overseas for more than 13 weeks, your PIP payment might be stopped. This limit is extended to 26 weeks if you're abroad for medical treatment. If you plan to be away for over four weeks, you must notify the DWP before you depart. More information is available on the website. In cases where you've been accused of benefit fraud, your payments could be suspended or reduced while the investigation is ongoing. This measure is taken to limit potential overpayments if the allegations prove to be true. If you've previously received overpayments, which can occur due to various reasons, your future payments may be cut as the DWP recoups the money. The specifics of how much and for how long your benefit will be reduced will be detailed in a letter from the DWP. Some PIP payments cease simply because individuals have reached the end of their fixed-term award and haven't filled out the review form, or because they've reached state pension age. Reaching the age of 66 doesn't necessarily put a halt to your PIP payments, according to Turn2Us. However, it might prevent some from renewing their claim. If you fail to renew your claim within a year of your award ending after reaching state pension age, you'll need to apply for Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment instead. While PIP could see you pocketing up to £749 each month if you're eligible for both enhanced components, both Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment only offer a maximum of £441 monthly.
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
On Universal Credit? How you can save £100s on your summer phone bill
Check below to see if you can save TO YOUR BENEFIT On Universal Credit? How you can save £100s on your summer phone bill Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEADING off for some summer sun should be a relaxing break, not a source of bill-shock. But with many major mobile networks reintroducing expensive daily roaming charges for using your phone in Europe, the cost of a simple holiday can quickly spiral. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 If you're receiving Universal Credit or other benefits, you could be eligible for a special 'social tariff' Credit: Getty For a family of four, a two-week trip could add £100s in roaming fees alone. However, a little-known secret could save you a fortune. If you're receiving Universal Credit or other benefits, you could be eligible for a special 'social tariff' on your mobile plan, slashing your monthly costs and letting you use your phone abroad for free. These 'social' or 'essential' tariffs offer the same service as regular packages but at a significantly lower price. They typically come with no long-term contracts, a guarantee of no mid-contract price hikes, and two of the three providers even include free roaming in Europe. For example, O2's Essential Plan costs just £10 a month and gives you 10GB of data with unlimited calls and texts. Crucially, you can use up to 10GB of that data in the EU at no extra cost. The plan is a flexible 30-day deal, with no upfront costs or price rises. Meanwhile, SMARTY's Social Tariff provides unlimited data, calls, and texts for £12 a month. For holidaymakers, it includes EU roaming with a generous 12GB data cap. Easy ways to slash your mobile bill Like O2's offer, it's a flexible one-month plan with no annual price rises. Choosing one of these tariffs means you can avoid the daily roaming charges now levied by most major networks since Brexit. Many providers, including EE, Three, and Vodafone, may charge around £2 to £2.57 per day to use your UK allowance in Europe. That could add up to £35 to your bill for a two-week holiday. Providers like EE and Voxi also offer social tariffs, but be aware that their roaming policies may include extra charges. To apply, simply contact your chosen provider. They will ask for some basic information and carry out a quick, confidential check with the Department for Work and Pensions to confirm your eligibility before setting up your plan. The regulator, Ofcom, provides a comprehensive list of all the available social tariffs on its website. Before switching mobile plans, check if you're still in contract to avoid high exit fees. Over 33million people are out of contract, according to Uswitch, so it's worth checking if you can upgrade or switch to avoid paying more than necessary. To check your contract status, text "INFO" followed by your date of birth (DDMMYY) to 85075. You'll get a text confirming if you'd need to pay an early termination fee. These fees only apply if you're still in contract. If no fee is mentioned, you're likely out of contract and free to switch.
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
DWP benefits and HMRC payments to be issued early next month
The upcoming bank holiday is expected to have a significant impact on some payment dates for DWP and HMRC claimants The upcoming bank holiday is set to significantly alter the payment dates for some benefit claimants. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has already confirmed changes to scheduled payments due on that date, with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) expected to follow suit. Those due to receive State Pension or benefits on August 25, including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Child Benefit and Attendance Allowance, will receive their money earlier, on Friday, August 22. Payments are typically issued on the first working day prior to a bank holiday to ensure people receive their payment on a day when offices, webchat services and phone lines are open. The DWP is also expected to confirm that Jobcentres across Great Britain will be closed on the bank holiday. Below is a comprehensive list of DWP and HMRC payments which could be affected by the bank holidays on Monday, August 25. It's important to note that if your upcoming payment does not fall on the bank holiday, it will be paid as normal, reports the Daily Record. DWP payment date changes The DWP has yet to confirm the payment date changes, but it is anticipated that Payments due to be made on Monday, August 25 will be issued on Friday, August 22. We will update this article as soon as the information has been confirmed. Payments which could be affected include: Employment Support Allowance (ESA) Carer's Allowance Attendance Allowance Income Support Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Universal Credit State Pension Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Pension Credit HMRC payment date changes HMRC has confirmed that payments scheduled for Monday, August 25 will be issued on Friday, August 22. Affected payments include:
