As the August Bank Holiday approaches, thousands of claimants across the UK will see changes to their usual payment dates. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that state pensioners and Universal Credit claimants will be impacted by an early payment adjustment, in response to the public holiday on Monday, August 25, 2025.
The change, which primarily affects individuals receiving benefits on the 25th of the month, comes amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The rising prices of essentials like food and energy continue to put pressure on household budgets, making timely access to financial support even more critical.
Impact on DWP Payments
The DWP has announced that benefit payments due on the Bank Holiday will be paid earlier. As the public holiday falls on a Monday, payments that are typically made on the 25th of the month will instead be processed on the preceding Friday, August 22, 2025.
This adjustment, which is common for holidays and weekends, ensures that individuals who rely on state support won’t face delays during the Bank Holiday period.
Importantly, this shift in payment dates will not affect the amounts claimants receive. Payments for a wide range of benefits—including Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, and the State Pension—will still be issued in full.
The DWP has stressed that the change only pertains to the payment date, not the value of the benefits, which remain unchanged. For many recipients, this is an essential measure to ensure they are not left without support during a time when financial stress is at its peak.
Other Benefits Affected
In addition to state pensions and Universal Credit, other key benefits paid by the DWP will also see similar adjustments. These include Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), and Income Support.
Meanwhile, tax credits administered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), such as Child Benefit and Tax Credits, will also be impacted by the Bank Holiday.
Individuals receiving tax credits should check their payment dates to ensure they are aware of any changes. The gov.uk website advises that any delays should be promptly reported to the relevant department, whether the DWP or HMRC.
As for the amounts received, the DWP confirms there will be no alteration to the payment structure or the benefit rates, including the recent uprating of the state pension. For those eligible, the new state pension rate is set at £230.25 per week, while the basic state pension remains at £176.45 per week for those who reached pension age before April 2016.
