DWP and HMRC making major change to 10 benefits including Universal Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC are set to make a major change to ten means-tested benefits in the coming days.
This will result in thousands of individuals who receive welfare payments, such as Universal Credit, receiving their money on a different day than usual.
Due to the fact that when payment dates fall on a bank holiday or weekend, the funds are sent on the first working day prior. It means this bank holiday's payment will be issued on Friday, August 22 instead of on Monday, August 25.
The DWP and HMRC will pay these benefits early in August:
Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
State Pension
Attendance Allowance
Carer's Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Income Support
Jobseeker's Allowance
Child Benefit (paid by HMRC)
The amount you receive will not alter, remaining the same as the previous payment unless there has been a change in your circumstances which would affect the number you are due.
Bear in mind that if you receive an early payment, you must ensure that this money lasts, as you will have to wait additional days until your next payment date.
Additionally, If you are expecting your benefit payment on 22 August and don't receive it, you should contact the DWP as soon as possible. If your payment is incorrect, you can lodge a complaint with the government department to rectify the issue.
Meanwhile, parents are being urged to act swiftly or risk losing their Child Benefit payments. The tax office is sending out thousands of letters to parents of teenagers, requesting updates on their future education plans - with Child Benefit currently standing at £26.05 a week for the eldest or only child.
For each additional child, parents receive £17.25 a week. However, payments automatically cease on August 31 on/after the child's 16th birthday, unless parents renew their claim when their child continues in education.
Parents whose children are continuing their education have until August 31 to inform HMRC, or their payments will automatically stop.
Parents can continue to receive this financial boost until their child turns 19 and is enrolled in an apprenticeship programme or the following education schemes:
A levels or Scottish Highers
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Home education - if the course began before their child turned 16, or after 16 if they have a statement of special educational needs and it was assessed by the local authority
T levels
NVQs, up to level 3
Child Benefit will also continue for children studying on one of these unpaid approved training courses:
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