DWP confirms 12 benefits including Universal Credit & State Pension to be paid early this week – check the exact date
MILLIONS of people receiving benefits, including Universal Credit and State Pension, be paid early this week.
This is because of the Early May bank holiday which falls next week on Monday, May 5.
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Because of this, some benefit payments due on that day will be made early on Friday, May 2.
It's important to note that benefit payment dates vary depending on when you first applied and when your claim was approved, so not everyone will be affected.
The next bank holiday expected this month will fall on Monday, May 26 for the Spring Bank Holiday.
Twelve major benefits are affected by these changes.
Payments will be made early (on Friday) to avoid delays over the long weekend. The benefits 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 (PIP)
State Pension
Tax Credits (e.g. Working Tax Credit)
Universal Credit
This advance payment ensures that recipients are not left short over the bank holiday.
However, it also means you'll need to budget carefully, as your next payment will still be on its usual date.
Three million workers to get £1,400 a year pay rise in days, Rachel Reeves confirms in Spring Statement
If your benefit payment hasn't arrived as expected, contact the DWP helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Benefits shake-up
Alongside these scheduling changes, a number of benefit system reforms are on the horizon.
Last month, the government announced plans to merge Jobseeker's Allowance with Employment and Support Allowance.
The move aims to provide more financial support to those with a work history.
There are also proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Under the new rules, to qualify for the £105 weekly payment, claimants must score at least four points in a single daily living activity during their assessment.
Currently, claimants can qualify with a lower overall score spread across multiple activities.
These new requirements are expected to come into effect sometime next year.
Stay informed and check your eligibility to ensure you don't miss out on financial support.
Changes to Universal Credit
Universal Credit is replacing six benefits under the old welfare system, commonly called legacy benefits. They are:
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Income-based Jobseeker's allowance
Income support
Income-related employment and support allowance
Housing Benefit.
If you're on any of these benefits now, you can choose to move over - but you might not be better off.
You should consider carefully what moving over means for your money, as you can't move back once you're on Universal Credit.
Using an online benefits calculator can help you compare and are free and easy to use from charities such as Turn2Us and EntitledTo, and it's also worth asking them for advice.
You may be moved over to Universal Credit if you have a change in circumstances, like moving home, a change in working hours or having a baby.
But eventually, everyone will be moved over to Universal Credit.
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