This upcoming August bank holiday may cause some payment changes for many people. This adjustment could impact disbursements such as Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
If your payment is due on Monday 26 August, you are likely to receive it on Friday 23 August instead of the original date. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not process benefit payments on bank holidays.
Therefore, you will need to budget carefully as there will be a longer gap until your next payment. Your benefits will be deposited into your usual account, and the amount you receive will remain the same.
DWP Payment Schedules
The timing of your prompt payment is contingent upon your established benefit schedule. Specifically, Universal Credit is disbursed on a fixed date each month, while tax credits are commonly distributed every four weeks or weekly. Child Benefit is typically administered every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday, as per the Mirror.
Here is a thorough explanation of the typical payment timetables for different perks:
- Attendance Allowance: Every four weeks
- Carer’s Allowance: Weekly in advance or every four weeks
- Child Benefit: Every four weeks, or weekly if you are a single parent or receive certain benefits
- Disability Living Allowance: Every four weeks
- Employment and Support Allowance: Every two weeks
- Income Support: Every fortnight
- Jobseeker’s Allowance: Every fortnight
- Pension Credit: Every four weeks
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP): Every four weeks
- State Pension: Every four weeks
- Tax Credits: Every four weeks or weekly
- Universal Credit: Monthly
What Should You do if Your Payment Fails to Arrive?
If your benefit payment is delayed, start by confirming the date on your award notice and checking your bank account. If all details are accurate and the payment remains absent, reach out to the relevant helpline. Keep in mind that these helplines might be inaccessible during bank holidays.
Below are the contact details for several prevalent benefits:
Universal Credit:
- Freephone: 0800 328 9344
- Welsh language: 0800 012 1888
- Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Child Benefit:
- Freephone: 0300 200 3100
- From outside the UK: +44 161 210 3086
Tax Credits:
- HMRC freephone: 0345 300 3900
- From outside the UK: +44 2890 538 192
Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance:
- Freephone: 0800 169 0310
- Textphone: 0800 169 0314
- Relay UK (for those with hearing or speech difficulties): 18001 then 0800 169 0310