With May 1 being a Bank Holiday, millions of people will not receive any benefits that day. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will instead pay the money earlier into people's bank accounts.
For many, people will be given the payments on April 28 instead. This will apply for people who receive the following 12 benefits: 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, Tax Credits, and Universal Credit.
The amount being paid should not differ, only the date the payment is being made. There are also more Bank Holidays in May which will affect things.
Monday, May 8 is a Bank Holiday to mark the King's Coronation, where benefits will instead be paid on Friday, May 5. Monday, May 29 is the May spring Bank Holiday, when payments will be paid on Friday, May 26.
You do not have to do anything to change when the money is paid to you on these dates as the DWP will take care of it. If you do not receive your benefit payment one working day before the bank holiday, you should contact DWP directly.
Income Support, Jobseekers' Allowance and Pension Credit usually arrive every two weeks while the rest arrive every four weeks. April and May will also see the start of the £900 cost-of-living payments land in accounts.
It includes a further £300 payment for eligible families in autumn, and then a payment of £299 in spring 2024. There will also be a £150 cost of living payment for eligible people with certain disabilities, while millions will also receive an additional £150 to help with the increase in gas and electricity prices.
