The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced changes to May's benefit payment date due to the upcoming bank holiday.
Millions of beneficiaries throughout the UK will receive their scheduled payments earlier than expected next week, as part of a recent announcement by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Due to the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 27 May, DWP and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) offices, jobcentres and benefit information lines will be closed on that date, as is usually the case.
As such, the DWP has proposed that certain benefit payments made through their offices, such as Universal Credit, State Pension and Child Benefit, will be distributed on a different schedule for certain claimants.
Specifically, people whose usual payment date is Holy Monday will be paid on Friday 24 May instead.
DWP's Complete List of Benefits
The DWP has not provided an exhaustive list of all the benefits affected, but changes to payment schedules have generally been applied to the following 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 (PIP)
- State pension
- Tax credits
- Universal credit
It will also affect the following HMRC payments:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Child Benefit
- Guardian’s Allowance
Claimants may benefit in the short term from receiving money a few days before the usual payment date, but it is important to remember that they will have to wait a little longer for the next scheduled payment.
It is therefore advisable for beneficiaries to budget carefully and ensure that existing resources can cover extended periods until additional benefits are paid. Additional guidance can be found on the DWP website or by contacting customer service centres for beneficiaries with individual questions.