DWP State Pension change that could see you get paid £221 every week

Those who claim the new State Pension have seen an increase in their payments - to up £884 per month. This follows the 8.5 per cent boost announced in the Spring Budget.

Similarly, those who receive State Pensions are now earning £678 over the same period. However, millions of pensioners are said to be unaware that they could receive their money on a weekly basis, reports the ManchesterEveningNews.

They can increase the frequency of their State Pension payments from every four weeks to weekly, which is worth £221.20 per week to New State Pension claimants. A former DWP employee has shared a simple way to make the change, whether you are due to retire and claim the State Pension, or are already in receipt of New or Basic payments.

READ MORE: Owner of trashed Coventry house used for 'mind-blowing' party speaks out

A key thing to be mindful of is that the frequency can only be changed if the payments have already been set up to be made into a bank account.

Those who already receive the new or basic State Pension

"If you have already made a claim for State Pension and are in receipt of four-weekly payments, and you want weekly payments, then phone the DWP change of circumstances (Pension Service) telephone number on 0800 731 0469, and request weekly payments," the ex-employee told the Daily Record.

"Alternatively write to The Pension Service, Post Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1AF, with your name address and National Insurance number and ask to be changed to weekly payment for your State Pension."

But the former employee warned that the four-weekly pay frequency may make it difficult to budget for household bills as it's not paid monthly, especially if someone has been used to being paid their salary at the end of each month. "From your 'budget point of view' it may be easier to be paid weekly then you know exactly how much State Pension has been paid into your account each month," they said.

"For some members of the public who are used to being paid their wages weekly, claiming a State Pension which is paid every four weeks, can cause problems financially and make it difficult for them to budget."

But the former staff member is not the only one to highlight the payment options. Paul Lewis, BBC Radio 4 Money Box presenter and financial journalist, previously highlighted the weekly payment option in the Radio Times in 2021. He explained: "Three quarters of all pensioners are paid four weeks in arrears, but a State Pension can also be paid weekly."

"The government hides this option when people apply, as the application form simply says 'State Pension is usually paid every four weeks'."

Full new State Pension payment rates 2024/25

Following the 8.5 per cent rise, the payments are:

• Full payment rate: £221.20 (from £203.85)

• Every four-week pay period: £884.80 (from £815.40)

Basic State Pension payment rates 2024/25

Following the 8.5 per cent rise, these payments are:

• Category A or B Basic State Pension (full rate): £169.50 (from £156.20)

• Every four-week pay period: £678.00 (from £624.80)

• Category B (lower) Basic State Pension - spouse or civil partner's insurance: £101.55 (from £93.60)

• Category C or D - non-contributory: £101.55 (from £93.60)

Additional pension payments

Increments to the following will rise by 6.7%:

• Maximum additional pension (own plus inherited): £218.39 (from £204.68)

Increments to the following will rise by 6.7%:

• Graduated Retirement Benefit (GRB)
  

• Inheritable lump sum

• Basic pension

• Additional pension

Sign up for our FREE daily newsletter here for all the latest news about Coventry .