People on State Pension, Universal Credit and other benefits could see change to payments next month

Two bank holidays in August could see changes made to scheduled payments due on certain dates from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Social Security Scotland. Monday, August 5 is a bank holiday in Scotland only, however, HMRC has already confirmed that Tax Credits payments due on that date will arrive early on Friday August 2.

Similarly, payments from Social Security Scotland due to arrive on that date are also expected to be made early, but no changes have been announced yet. The second bank holiday is on Monday August 26, and even though this is only observed in England and Wales, it could affect people in Scotland whose payments fall on that date.

HMRC has confirmed that Child Benefit and Tax Credits due on that date will land in bank accounts on Friday August 23. DWP is also expected to announce similar changes to scheduled payments due for State Pension and benefits including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).

This is because State Pension and DWP benefit payments are typically made when offices and phone lines are open. On recognised bank holidays when these communication channels are closed, payments are made on the first working day prior to the affected date.

HMRC payment date changes in August

Payments from HMRC due to be made on August 5 or 26 may arrive early for some people.

Tax Credits:

• Payments due on Monday August 5 - will be paid on Friday August 2 for people living in Scotland only

• Payments due on Monday August 26 - will be paid on Friday August 23 for people living in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Child Benefit:

• Payments due on Monday August 26 - will be paid on Friday August 23 for people living in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland

A full list of Tax Credit payment date changes can be found on GOV.UK here.

A full list of Child Benefit payment date changes can be found on GOV.UK here.

DWP possible payment date changes in August

These have not been confirmed, but expected to follow the same changes as those being made by HMRC for the August 26 bank holiday only, we will update this article as soon as any changes have been announced.

Payments from DWP due to be made on Monday, August 26, may arrive early on Friday, August 23, 2024.

Payments possibly 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

Social Security Scotland

Social Security Scotland has not yet confirmed any payment date changes, but is expected to confirm that money due on Monday August 5 will be paid on Friday, August 2, 2024.

Payments possibly affected:

• Adult Disability Payment (ADP)

• Child Disability Payment

• Carer Support Payment

• Scottish Child Payment

We will update this article as soon as the information has been confirmed.