DWP benefit payment warning ahead of change this weekend

Universal Credit recipients may receive their payments earlier due to the upcoming May spring bank holiday. If your benefit is due on Monday, May 27, you'll likely receive your Universal Credit on Friday, May 24 instead, as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not distribute benefits on bank holidays.

However, if you're paid earlier, you'll need to budget carefully as there will be a longer gap until your next payment. If your payment date falls on another day, it will be deposited into your account as usual.

There's no need for any action on your part to receive your benefit payment, and the amount you're due will remain unchanged. It's not only Universal Credit payments that can be impacted by bank holidays; claimants receiving a number of other benefits will see the same change this week, reports the Express.

Read more:

• DWP to make key change to Carer's Allowance after £20,000 repayments

• Chef explains how to use up bread as food charity marks 15 years

It all depends on when you typically receive your benefits. For instance, Universal Credit is disbursed on the same day each month, while Tax Credits are generally paid every four weeks or weekly. Child Benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.

Which benefits are affected?

• Attendance Allowance

• Carer’s Allowance

• Employment Support Allowance (ESA)

• Income Support

• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Pension Credit

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• State Pension

• Universal Credit

How often are benefits paid?

• Attendance Allowance - Typically every four weeks.

• Carer's Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks.

• Child Benefit - Typically paid every four weeks, or weekly for single parents or those receiving certain benefits.

• Disability Living Allowance - Generally paid every four weeks.

• Employment and Support Allowance - Usually disbursed every two weeks.

• Income Support - Typically paid every two weeks.

• Jobseeker's Allowance - Generally paid every two weeks.

• Pension Credit - Usually paid every four weeks.

• Personal Independence Payment - Typically disbursed every four weeks.

• State Pension - Generally paid every four weeks.

• Tax credits - Paid every four weeks or weekly.

• Universal Credit - Paid monthly.

What if I don't receive my payment?

If your benefit payment doesn't arrive when expected, first double-check the date on your award notice and your bank account. If the date is correct and the money hasn't arrived, you should contact the relevant helpline.

Remember, these are unlikely to be open on bank holidays.

Universal Credit:

• Free call: 0800 328 9344.

• Welsh language: 0800 012 1888.

• Textphone: 0800 328 1344.

Child benefit:

• Free call: 0300 200 3100.

• From outside the 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:

• Free call: 0800 169 0310.

• Textphone: 0800 169 0314.

• Relay UK (for those who cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310.