02 February 2024 , 10:16
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This year is a leap year, and that means there may be some slight changes to your benefit payments - but there is a code you can look out for to make sure you are paid correctly.
February has 29 days rather than 28 - meaning there is one extra day than usual. If you are claiming state pension, then you won't notice any changes to your payments. This is because your National Insurance number sets the date you receive your payment. The state pension is paid every four weeks and the last two digits of your NI number set the day.
If they are between 00 and 19 your payment date is on a Monday, if the numbers are between 20 and 39 you are paid on a Tuesday and if they are between 40 and 59 you are paid on a Wednesday. If the final digits are between 60 to 79 are paid on a Thursday and the numbers 80 to 99 are usually paid on Fridays. The code you will see on your bank statement for your state pension payment is "SP.
But you receive other Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits - including Universal Credit - then you may be paid early this month depending on your normal payment dates. If you are due to receive your benefit payment on the 30 or 31 of this month, you will instead receive it on the 29 instead. This is because it is the last working day of the month falling on a Thursday.
The Universal Credit payment reference which appears on your bank statement is made up of the date of the payment, a unique ID and the final part appearing as "DWP UC".
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However, if you're due to be paid on 28 February, then your payments will be unaffected and you should still get your payment on the same day. If your payment date falls on a weekend, it will be sent to your account on the working day before as usual. Official Government guidance states: "Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before."
If you are having your benefit paid early this month, even if it is just by one day, you need to be aware that the money you receive will need to last you until your next benefit payment - so you'll need to stretch it a little further.