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Manchester Evening News

National

David Bentley & Helen Carter

May Bank Holiday 2020 pay dates announced for Universal Credit, Child Benefit and PIP

Universal Credit is a controversial monthly welfare payment that replaces six other benefits and is paid monthly, typically on the same date each month.

There have been a surge in claimants since the coronavirus pandemic led to a lockdown with those on zero-hour contracts in hospitality industries finding themselves without work and having to apply for Universal Credit.

Around a million new claims had been made since the pandemic began, according to figures released earlier this month.

Those applying for Universal Credit have to wait five weeks for the first payment, after a one-month assessment period is carried out and their income and circumstances are checked by officials.

You could earn over £100 just for switching bank accounts (PA)

It takes a further seven days for the money to reach their bank or building society account, reports BirminghamLive.

If, for example, your first payment was received on April 8, you would typically receive further payments on the 8th day of every month. But the Bank Holidays in May will impact payment dates.

Universal Credit - May Bank Holiday payment dates

Universal credit is paid every four weeks on the same date. It will also vary slightly over the two May Bank Holidays.

Your normal pay date is determined by when your first payment arrives.

But it will be moved in any month where your pay date happens to fall on a weekend or Bank Holiday.

Early May Bank Holiday Weekend

Due: Friday, May 8 (May Day Bank Holiday/Early May Bank Holiday)

Paid: Thursday, May 7

Due: Saturday, May 9

Paid: Thursday, May 7

Due: Sunday, May 10

Paid: Thursday, May 9

Late May Bank Holiday Weekend

Due: Saturday, May 23

Paid: Friday, May 22

Due: Sunday, May 24

Paid: Friday, May 22

Due: Monday, May 25 (Spring Bank Holiday/Late May Bank Holiday)

Paid: Friday, May 22

PIP - May Bank Holiday payment dates

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is usually paid every four weeks.

Your original decision letter tells you the date of your first payment and what day of the week you’ll usually be paid. It would never be arranged to fall on a weekend.

70,000 out of around 270,000 Universal Credit applications in one week, applied for an advance payment (Darren Quinton/Birmingham Live)

But if your payment date is on a bank holiday, you will usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.

Early May Bank Holiday Weekend

Due: Friday, May 8 (May Day Bank Holiday/Early May Bank Holiday)

Paid: Thursday, May 7

Late May Bank Holiday Weekend

Due: Monday, May 25 (Spring Bank Holiday/Late May Bank Holiday)

Paid: Friday, May 22

Child Benefit - May Bank Holiday payment dates

Child benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday (but you can get it paid weekly if you’re a single parent or if one of you is claiming other benefits). So it would not be paid on a weekend anyway.

Early May Bank Holiday Weekend

Due: Friday, May 8 (May Day Bank Holiday/Early May Bank Holiday)

Paid: Thursday, May 7

Late May Bank Holiday Weekend

Due: Monday, May 25 (Spring Bank Holiday/Late May Bank Holiday)

Paid: Friday, May 22

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit - May Bank Holiday payment dates

Tax credits such as Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit are paid every week or every four weeks. They aren't arranged to fall on a weekend.

Early May Bank Holiday Weekend

Due: Friday, May 8 (May Day Bank Holiday/Early May Bank Holiday)

Paid: Thursday, May 7

Late May Bank Holiday Weekend

Due: Monday, May 25 (Spring Bank Holiday/Late May Bank Holiday)

Paid: Friday, May 22

Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - May Bank Holiday payment dates

These are both usually paid every two weeks. Dates would never fall on a weekend.

Early May Bank Holiday Weekend

Due: Friday, May 8 (May Day Bank Holiday/Early May Bank Holiday)

Paid: Thursday, May 7

Late May Bank Holiday Weekend

Due: Monday, May 25 (Spring Bank Holiday/Late May Bank Holiday)

Paid: Friday, May 22

Universal Credit

When does the money go in?

Depending on your bank, funds are available sometime after midnight on the day they are due, usually in the early hours.

Some banks deposit money into your account around 11.30pm so you can withdraw it before midnight on benefit payday. Others will release your funds at midnight or just a few minutes after that.

Requiring a loan could mean people are left with having to choose between buying food or repaying the funds, the Salvation Army said (Birmingham Mail)

But in some cases you have to wait until 2am to 3am and others will not let you touch your money until at least 6am on payday.

These are the typical paying-in times for banks:

Clydesdale, Yorkshire - 11.30pm the night before to 12.30am

Lloyds - midnight to 1am

Bank of Scotland - midnight to 1.30am

Metro Bank - midnight to 2am

Barclays , Co-op- 1am to 2am

Natwest, RBS, Ulster Bank, Nationwide - 2am to 3am

Halifax - 3am to 4am

HSBC, Santander - 6am to 9am

What if your payment doesn't go in?

The Department for Work and Pensions said: "If a payment date is on a bank holiday or weekend, customers will be paid on the last working day before the bank holiday or weekend."

But if you don't get your payment, call the helplines we've listed below.

But note that you may not be able to speak to benefits staff over the bank holiday weekend in all cases. It depends which benefit you are enquiring about. So it's a good idea to check you have your money before the bank holiday weekend begins