Millions of British citizens are going to notice changes to the dates on which they receive benefits such as the state pension, PIP, child benefit and other allowances as a result of two forthcoming bank holidays.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued an update on payments dates for both tax credits and child benefit, covering the relevant dates in May. Similar adjustments are expected to be announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) shortly.
HMRC and DWP are the two central government departments responsible for managing the various benefits and pensions.
HMRC is in charge of:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Child Benefit
- Guardian's Allowance
DWP is in charge of:
- State Pension
- Universal Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- And various other benefits
The Impending Shift in Payment Dates
HMRC has already announced new payment dates for tax credits and child benefit, with two bank holidays in May.
The first bank holiday falls on Monday, May 6. HMRC payments due on that date will be issued on Friday, May 3, instead.
The second bank holiday is on Monday, May 27. Any payments due on that day will be deposited in bank accounts on the preceding Friday, May 24.
The Department for Work and Pensions are expected to follow the move and similarly adjust their payment dates.
The early May Bank Holiday and Spring Bank Holiday will be observed across Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
New HMRC Payment Dates
Initial HMRC payments due on Monday 6 May will now arrive on Friday 3 May. Similarly, amounts due on Monday 27 May will be paid on Friday 24 May.
Affected payments include:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Child Benefit
- Guardian’s Allowance
Anticipated Changes to DWP Payment Dates
Although not yet confirmed, the DWP payment dates are expected to follow the same changes as those made by HMRC.
Potentially affected payments include:
- 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
What Do You Do If You Don't Receive Payment?
Should you not receive your benefit as expected, you need to check the date on your notice of award and your bank account. If all seems correct, but the money is not there, you should contact the relevant helpline.
Contact Details for Key Benefits
| Benefit | Contact Number | Alternative Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Credit | 0800 328 9344 | Welsh speaking: 0800 012 1888 |
| Child Benefit | 0300 200 3100 | Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086 |
| Tax Credits | 0345 300 3900 | From outside the UK: +44 2890 538 192 |
| Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance | 0800 169 0310 | Text phone: 0800 169 0314 |
Those on benefits should prepare for changes to their payment dates in May due to bank holidays. Although these changes may cause some initial confusion, having a clear idea of the adjustments and knowing who to contact if there are any problems can help ensure a smooth transition.