DWP to pay Universal Credit early this week - see exact payment date

27 February 2024 , 14:53

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Benefits will be paid early this month (Image: Getty Images)

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be paying benefits claimants early this week.

As 2024 is a leap year, February has 29 days rather than 28 - meaning there is one extra day than usual. Even with the extra day, as February has fewer days than any other month of the year some Universal Credit claimants will receive the payments early depending on their normal payment dates. This is because Universal Credit is paid on the same date each month.

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. If you're due to be paid on February 28 or 29, 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. Other benefits including Tax Credits, Personal Independence Payments (PIP) or Attendance Allowance will also be paid on these dates if the original payment date falls on the 30 or 31.

According to the DWP, the standard monthly allowance for Universal Credit remains the same each month no matter how many days there are. As with all early payments, 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.

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If your payment date is set to change this month, you should check to make sure it turns up as expected. Your 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". You should look out for your reference in your bank account on the day you're due your payment.

If you don't get your benefit payment when you expected to, first check double-check the date on your award notice and your bank account. If you've got the right date, and the money isn't there, you should contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644. The Universal Credit helpline is open from Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm. The helpline will be open on Thursday February 29 and Friday March 1 as normal.

Ruby Flanagan