Major change to Universal Credit payments next week – will you get cash early?
THOUSANDS of people claiming Universal Credit could see a change to their payments next week.
Bank holidays mean you might see cash hit your bank account before the three-day break.
With the August bank holiday weekend just around the corner, it could also impact anyone receiving Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is a monthly payment aimed at helping low-income or unemployed households with living expenses.
But if your payment falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, you'll be paid on the last working day before.
The summer bank holiday falls on Monday, August 29 and is expected to change the payment date for thousands of claimants.
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When the Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June, millions of people claiming benefits were paid early due to the two day bank holiday
And over Easter and the early May bank holiday, claimants got their money sooner than usual too.
When will Universal Credit be paid over the Summer bank holiday?
If your payment date falls on a bank holiday then this usually means you'll get paid early on the last working day before.
Your usual payment date depends on when you first applied and when your application for Universal Credit benefits was approved - there is no set day for everyone.
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Usually you receive your first payment seven days after the end of your initial assessment period.
Your Universal Credit is then paid on that date each following month.
If you're expecting to get your payment on Monday, August 29, you should receive it on the last working day before.
You should expect to receive the payment three days earlier on Friday August 26.
And if your payment date falls on a normal working day either side of the bank holiday, you'll get your payment as normal.
Are other benefit payment dates affected?
Yes, Universal Credit isn't the only benefit that can be affected by bank holidays.
The payment dates for the following benefits will also change:
- State Pension
- Employment support allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Carer's allowance
- Pension credit
- Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
- Attendance allowance
Will you get less Universal Credit if paid earlier?
No. The amount of Universal credit you'll get won't change even when it's paid on different days than usual.
The same applies to other benefits payments.
Keep this in mind when budgeting or planning your expenses, as being paid earlier means you’ll have to make money stretch further until the next month’s payment.
But something isn't right and you think you were owed and payment and it hasn't arrive, give the Department for Work and Pensions a ring.
How many more bank holidays will affect my payments?
There are two more bank holidays in England, Northern Ireland and Wales and three in Scotland later on this year.
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Make sure you note down the dates so you're aware when your payments will change.
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Here's the list of the remaining bank holidays in 2022:
- Wednesday, November 30 - St Andrew's Day (Scotland only)
- Monday, December 26 - Boxing Day
- Tuesday, December 27 - Christmas Day (substitute day)