DWP benefit and pension payment dates in May 2024

Many people across the UK are continuing to feel the pinch of the cost of living crisis. Benefits are available from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help people who are struggling.

Payments such as Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Income Support will be sent out in May to those who are eligible. The date they are paid depends on what benefit you receive and when you started claiming.

According to research by Police in Practice, around £23 billion worth of benefits goes unclaimed every year. As bills such as council tax and broadband are still going up, it's important to know what you can receive and how to claim it.

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Here is everything you need to know about benefits in May 2024.

When will benefits be paid by the DWP?

Universal Credit is paid monthly to those that claim. Meanwhile, the DWP pays out Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment and State Pension every four weeks.

Carer’s Allowance, Tax Credits (from HMRC) and Child Benefit are paid either weekly or every four weeks. Maternity Allowance is then either every two weeks or every four weeks.

Finally, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance and Jobseeker’s Allowance are usually sent every two weeks.

How do I know if I am eligible?

Benefits are available to people who are working or unemployed, sick or disabled, a parent, a young person, an older person or a veteran. There are a number of benefit calculators available to find out what you can claim, including Turn2Us, Policy in Practice and entitledto.

Information is also available from Citizens Advice. They have services to advise as to what financial support is available to help you.

How much are benefits and state pension after the April increase?

Benefits increased by 6.7 per cent this month. This means that if you are a single person over the age of 25, your Universal Credit payment increased from £368.74 to £393.45.

Meanwhile, State Pension has been increased by 8.5 per cent. This means that those on the new State Pension (for those reaching pension age after April 2016) now get £221.20 each week, up from £203.25.