August 26 is a Bank Holiday, so some people will get their Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit payments a bit earlier than usual.
With the ongoing cost of living crisis, many people are eager to find out when their payments will come, so they can plan for bills and other financial needs.
Typically, benefit payments are sent out when DWP offices and phone lines are open. But, on nationally recognised Bank Holidays, when these services are closed, payments are made on the last working day before the holiday.
The following benefits are likely to be affected by the bank holiday:
- 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
Even though the exact payment dates have not yet been fixed, it is possible to make a good guess based on past patterns. If you're expecting your payment on Monday, August 26, there's a solid chance you'll see it hit your account on the prior working day, which is Friday, August 23.
HMRC has already given the green light that Child Benefit and Tax Credits set for that date will show up in bank accounts by Friday, August 23. It is, therefore, quite probable that DWP payments will follow the same path.
Typically, benefits are paid directly to the bank accounts, building society, or credit union accounts. The DWP has mentioned that if your payment date lands on a weekend or a bank holiday, they usually make sure it’s in your account the working day before.
Frequency of DWP Benefit Payments
According to the DWP website, the frequency of benefit payments is as follows:
- Attendance Allowance: Usually every 4 weeks
- Carer’s Allowance: Weekly in advance or every 4 weeks
- Child Benefit: Usually every 4 weeks, or weekly if the recipient is a single parent or if certain benefits are received
- Disability Living Allowance: Usually every 4 weeks
- Employment and Support Allowance: Usually every 2 weeks
- Income Support: Usually every 2 weeks
- Jobseeker’s Allowance: Usually every 2 weeks
- Maternity Allowance: Every 2 or 4 weeks
- Pension Credit: Usually every 4 weeks
- Personal Independence Payment: Usually every 4 weeks
- State Pension: Usually every 4 weeks
- Tax credits, such as Working Tax Credit: Every 4 weeks or weekly
- Universal Credit: Every month
In addition, Scots in receipt of benefits may see their payment dates changed next month. Monday, August 5 is a Bank Holiday in Scotland, so HMRC has confirmed that Tax Credits due on that date will be paid early, on Friday, August 2.
Similarly, payments from Social Security Scotland expected on that date are likely to be made early too, although no official changes have been announced just yet.