DWP benefit claimants could see a change to payments next month - are you affected?

August 26 is a Bank Holiday, which means some people will receive their scheduled Department for Work and Pension (DWP) benefit payments early.As the cost of living crisis continues, many people will be eager to know when they will get paid so they can schedule and plan for other commitments and bills.Usually, benefit payments are made when offices and phone lines are open. On nationally recognised Bank Holidays when these communication channels are closed, payments are made on the first working day prior to the affected date.The benefits that will possibly be affected are:Attendance AllowanceCarer’s AllowanceEmployment Support Allowance (ESA)Income SupportJobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)Pension CreditPersonal Independence Payment (PIP)State PensionUniversal CreditThe actual payment dates are yet to be confirmed but based on precedent, benefit recipients expecting their payment on Monday, August 26, should get their payment on the prior working day - Friday, August 23.HMRC has confirmed that Child Benefit and Tax Credits due on that date will land in bank accounts on Friday, August 23 so DWP payments could get their payments this day too.Benefits are usually paid straight into someone's bank, building society or credit union account.The DWP has stated that if someone's payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday, they’ll usually be paid on the working day before. How often each DWP benefit is paidAccording to the DWP website:Attendance Allowance - Usually every 4 weeksCarer’s Allowance - Weekly in advance or every 4 weeksChild Benefit - Usually every 4 weeks - or weekly if they’re a single parent or they or their partner get certain benefitsDisability Living Allowance - Usually every 4 weeksEmployment and Support Allowance - Usually every 2 weeksIncome Support - Usually every 2 weeksJobseeker’s Allowance - Usually every 2 weeksMaternity Allowance - Every 2 or 4 weeksPension Credit - Usually every 4 weeksPersonal Independence Payment - Usually every 4 weeksState Pension - Usually every 4 weeksTax credits, such as Working Tax Credit - Every 4 weeks or weekly. Universal Credit - Every monthThose claiming benefits in Scotland could also see a payment date change next month.Monday, August 5 is a bank holiday in Scotland only.HMRC has already confirmed that Tax Credits payments due on that date will arrive early on Friday, August 2.LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:Universal Credit shake up plans could see violent criminals lose right to benefitsUniversal Credit claimants could get freebies and discounts worth thousands this JulyNew £300 annual heating payment for millions of pensioners due this winter - are you eligible? Similarly, payments from Social Security Scotland due to arrive on that date are also expected to be made early, but no changes have been announced yet.

DWP benefit claimants could see a change to payments next month - are you affected?


August 26 is a Bank Holiday, which means some people will receive their scheduled Department for Work and Pension (DWP) benefit payments early.

As the cost of living crisis continues, many people will be eager to know when they will get paid so they can schedule and plan for other commitments and bills.


Usually, benefit payments are made when offices and phone lines are open.

On nationally recognised Bank Holidays when these communication channels are closed, payments are made on the first working day prior to the affected date.

The benefits that will possibly be affected are:

  • 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


Letter from HMRC


The actual payment dates are yet to be confirmed but based on precedent, benefit recipients expecting their payment on Monday, August 26, should get their payment on the prior working day - Friday, August 23.

HMRC has confirmed that Child Benefit and Tax Credits due on that date will land in bank accounts on Friday, August 23 so DWP payments could get their payments this day too.

Benefits are usually paid straight into someone's bank, building society or credit union account.

The DWP has stated that if someone's payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday, they’ll usually be paid on the working day before.


How often each DWP benefit is paid

According to the DWP website:

  • 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 they’re a single parent or they or their partner get certain benefits
  • 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


Those claiming benefits in Scotland could also see a payment date change next month.

Monday, August 5 is a bank holiday in Scotland only.

HMRC has already confirmed that Tax Credits payments due on that date will arrive early on Friday, August 2.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:


Similarly, payments from Social Security Scotland due to arrive on that date are also expected to be made early, but no changes have been announced yet.