From today, those on state benefits will see payment changes due to three bank holidays in May. It will affect 12 types of benefits from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) including Universal Credit, Child Benefit, State Pention and Carer's Allowance.
Multiple payments are due to come early on three occasions during May. Anyone who is due a Government payment on a weekend or bank holiday normally gets it on the preceding working day. To get all the latest money-saving news straight to your inbox twice a week sign up here.
What are the changes to these payments?
Those expecting to get a payment on Monday, May 1, will get an early payment on Friday, April 28. This is due to the early May Bank Holiday on Monday, May 1.
The disruption to the regular payment will also be caused by the extra Coronation Bank Holiday on Monday, May 8. Payments that would normally be due on this day should go in on Friday, May 5 and Universal Credit payments due on May 6, 7 or 8 will also go in on the Friday, May 5.
This is similar to the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday, May 29. Payments that would normally go in on this day should be paid on Friday, May 26. Universal Credit payments due on May 27, 28 or 29 should also be moved to Friday, May 26.
In terms of State Pension, only those who receive payments on a Monday and those with a National Insurance number ending with the numbers 00 to 19 will see earlier payments.
Your payment will adjust automatically, so you won't need to do anything. If your payment falls outside these dates, then there shouldn't be any changes to your payment.
Which benefits are affected?
The 12 payments affected includes:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Universal Credit
- Tax credits (such as Working Tax Credit)
Bank Holidays
Due to the Coronation, there are three Bank Holidays in May this year:
- Early May Bank Holiday on May 1
- Coronation Bank Holiday on May 8
- Spring Bank Holiday on May 29
All fall on a Monday which means your regular benefit payments will be moved three times. Anyone set to receive a payment on any of those days and dates should instead get it on the preceding Friday.
How often are these 12 types of benefits paid?
- Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks
- Carer’s Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks
- Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits
- Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks
- Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks
- Income Support - Usually every two weeks
- Jobseeker’s Allowance - Usually every two weeks
- Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks
- Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks
- State Pension - Usually every four weeks
Universal Credit - Every month
- Tax credits, such as Working Tax Credits - Every week or every four weeks
Read next:
- Martin Lewis issues warning to anyone going on holiday this summer
Met Office says bank holiday will be hotter than Spain and Italy as temperatures rise to 21°C
Huge dirty and dusty open cast mine in Wales near people's homes is to close
Man on stag do prompts huge emergency response after jumping into River Taff
