Major change to Universal Credit and benefits today – are your payments impacted?

THOUSANDS on Universal Credit and benefits will see a major change to their payments today (April 28).

The early May bank holiday will mean that you might see your cash hit your bank account a few days before your usual payment date.

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This is because the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) doesn't make benefit payments on bank holidays - so you won't be paid on May 1.

It's vital to take note of when you might get your payment so that you don't fall short or overspend.

If your usual payment date falls on May 1, the DWP will instead send out your benefit payments earlier than usual.

This means that many receiving Universal Credit and other benefits will receive their payment on a different day than usual.

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So if you're due to receive your payment on May 1, you'll actually get it today (April 28) instead.

Your payments will be adjusted automatically, so there's no need to do anything.

If your payment falls outside of these dates, you shouldn't expect any changes at all. 

This is because everybody's usual payment date depends on when you first applied and when your application for benefits was approved - so 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.

Benefits that could be affected by the Easter holiday include:

• Attendance allowance
• Carer's allowance
• Child benefit
• Disability living allowance
• Employment and support allowance
• Income support
• Jobseeker's allowance
• Pension credit
• Personal independence payment
• State Pension
• Universal Credit
• Tax credits (such as working tax credit)

If you don’t receive your benefit payment one working day before the bank holiday, you should contact DWP directly.

You can also submit a complaint to them to get a problem sorted if your payment is wrong. 

Will my benefit payment amount change?

No, the amount you're due should remain the same.

It will only be different if you've had a change in circumstances since your last payment, which you'll need to alert the DWP of.

Don't forget that if you get paid early then you'll have to make the money you get go further as you'll have extra days to wait until your next payment date.

Make sure you factor this into your budget.

What are the payment dates for other bank holidays?

It's best to make sure your benefit payments won't be affected by any other bank holidays this year.

Or if they are, make sure you know when payments will land so you can best prepare.

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Here's when the DWP will make your payments around other public holidays.

• King Charles III's coronation bank holiday - Payments will be made on May 5, not May 8
• Spring bank holiday - May 26, not May 29
• Summer bank holiday - payments will be made on August 25, not August 28
• Festive period - payments due on December 25, 26 and 27 this year, will instead be paid on December 22