DWP and HMRC announce Universal Credit and 11 benefits will be 'paid early'

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit claimants could see a change to payments next month. August 26 is a Bank Holiday, which means some people will receive their scheduled Department for Work and Pension (DWP) benefit payments early.

The benefits that will possibly be affected are Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance as well as Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), alongside Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and State Pension.

Universal Credit completes the list. HMRC has confirmed that Child Benefit and Tax Credits due on that date will land in bank accounts on Friday, August 23 so DWP payments could get their payments this day too, in a major shake-up for households.

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If you are expecting your benefit payment on August 23 and don't receive it, contact DWP. You can also submit a complaint to the Government department to get a problem sorted if your payment is wrong. After August, there are two more bank holidays before the end of the year which could impact when you receive your benefits.

DWP or HMRC will make your payments, if they are due on December 25, on December 24 instead. If your payment is due on December 26 then your payments will be made on December 24 instead, DWP and HMRC have explained.

You can call the DWP's complaints line for free on 08003285644 if you have a Universal Credit account or 08003289344 if you don't. Phone lines are open between 8am and 6pm and alternatively, you can make a complaint using the online form.

Letters should be sent to DWP Complaints, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton, WV99 2GY, the DWP has also explained on its wbesite. You are entitled to complain about Universal Credit if you think something isn't right with your payment, it says.