Big change to Universal Credit coming within weeks – check if you’re affected

THOUSANDS of households on Universal Credit will see payments land in their accounts earlier than usual in the coming weeks.

HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) doesn't make benefit payments on Bank Holidays.

If yours is due on March 29 (Good Friday) or April 1 (Easter Monday) this year, you will be paid the first working day before these dates - March 28.

Anyone expecting a payment on March 30 or 31 will also see the payment land in their accounts on March 28.

This is because benefit payments aren't usually made on weekends, regardless of the month.

Here is a full list of benefits which will be paid early in the coming weeks:

• 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 if your payment is wrong. 

Remember, your payment date will change, but the amount you normally receive won't, unless you've had a change in circumstances.

What are the payment dates for other Bank Holidays?

After the upcoming Bank Holiday, there's five more this year which could impact when you receive your benefits.

Here's when the DWP or HMRC will make your payments if you're expecting them on a public holiday:

• May 6 - payments will be made on May 3 instead
• May 27 - payments will be made on May 24 instead
• August 26 - payments will be made on August 23 instead
• December 25 and 26 - payments will be made on December 24 instead

It comes as Universal Credit and a host of other benefits are set to rise within weeks.

Those on Universal Credit will see their payments rise from April in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) measure of inflation from last September - 6.7%.

The hike was confirmed in Government documents last week, meaning millions will see payments rise by up to £465.

Of course, the amount your Universal Credit payments will rise depends on your exact circumstances.

However, these are the amounts your payments could rise:

• The current standard allowance for single UC claimants under the age of 25 will rise from £292.11 a month to £311.68 a month
• The standard allowance for single claimants over the age of 25 will rise from £368.74 a month to £393.45 a month
• If you live with your partner and are both under 25, your monthly payment will increase from £458.51 to £489.23
• If you live with your partner and either of you are 25 or over, your payments will rise from £578.82 a month to £617.60 a month

In other news, an HR administrator has revealed how she is £4.2k better off a year after claiming Universal Credit.

Meanwhile, a single mum has told The Sun how she must pay back more than £24,000 in Universal Credit payments after a DWP error.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

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