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Full list of 12 benefits being paid early next month – will your payments date change?
We reveal more dates when your payment might change
UNIVERSAL Credit and other benefit payment dates will change in May - and we reveal when you can expect your cash.
There are two bank holidays coming up next month which will affect when households get their money.
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Your usual payment date depends on when you first applied for Universal Credit and when your application was approved - there is no set day for everyone.
Most people receive their first payment seven days after the end of their initial assessment period.
If that date falls on the bank holiday, you'll get the money on the previous working day instead.
That means you won't be left waiting for cash over the long weekend.
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As well as Universal Credit, 11 other benefits will also be affected by the bank holiday.
This means you might see the cash hit your bank account on the working day before your usual payment date.
They are as follows:
- 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
- Tax credits (such as Working Tax Credit)
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Income Support, jobseekers's allowance and pension credit payments usually arrive every two weeks while the rest arrive every four weeks.
Keep in mind there's another bank holiday later in May to watch out for too.
So, the payments usually made on May 27 date will be shifted forward to May 24.
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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.
You don't need to do anything if your usual date for getting the state pension falls on a bank holiday.
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.
If your money is not paid on time, then you should double-check the date you get paid normally and contact your bank.
Failing that, you should contact the DWP.
You can also submit a complaint to the DWP over any unpaid benefits.
Universal Credit
Here's everything to know about Universal Credit:
- What is Universal Credit? Everything you need to know including how to apply
- Universal Credit calculator: How much can I claim and how do I apply?
- Universal Credit login: How do I sign in to my online account?
- How much can I earn before Universal Credit is reduced and do I get a work allowance?
- What is a Universal Credit advance payment? How to apply and pay it back
- Are Universal Credit payments going up and how much more will I get?
- How to claim Universal Credit if you’re self-employed
- How many hours can I work on Universal Credit and will my payment be reduced?
- What is a Universal Credit budgeting advance and how much could I get?
- What is the Universal Credit housing element and how much of your rent does it pay?
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 rose within weeks.
Those on Universal Credit saw their payments rise from 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.
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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.
How much Universal Credit can you get?
TRYING to work out how much Universal Credit you can get can be overwhelming.
There are so many different elements that can affect your claim and it makes the whole process even more complicated.
There are several free calculators that you can use to help you get an estimate, such as and
You will need:
- Details of all your income, such as existing benefits, tax credits, earnings from employment and your pensions,
- Details of your partner's income if you're married, in a civil partnership or living with someone as a couple. You will be assessed as a couple
- Information on any savings you have,
- How much you pay in council tax per year, and whether you get any discounts, reductions or exemptions,
- Details of your rent or mortgage payments,
- Employment and income information about anyone else living with you, such as grown-up children,
- Details about your carer's allowance if you receive it.
You'll need to make sure that the information provided is as accurate as possible to get the truest estimate.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Facebook group to share your tips and stories
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