DWP to pay Universal Credit and other benefits early this month - see full list

04 March 2024 , 11:52

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The DWP may pay your benefits early this month if your payment dates fall on these specific days (Image: Getty Images)

Thousands of claimants are set to have their benefits paid early by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HMRC this month due to the Easter bank holidays.

Like every year, the two bank holidays over Easter affect benefit payment dates. This year Easter takes place on Sunday, March 31, meaning Friday, March 29, is Good Friday and Easter Monday is April 1. The DWP and HMRC do not pay benefits on bank holidays so If you are due a payment on one of these days you will likely be paid early.

If you are due your benefit on Good Friday (March 29) then you should get paid on Thursday, March 28 instead. This will also be the case for those who are due payment on Easter Monday. Benefits are also not paid on the weekend, so if your payment date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, you should also be paid early on Thursday, March 28 too.

If your payment date falls on a different date then you will not need to do anything, it will be paid into your nominated bank account as normal. You will also be paid the same amount of money if you are paid early. Even though being paid early may sound great you should be aware that the amount you will receive will remain the same. This means you will need to make your money stretch until your next payment date.

Here is a full list of benefits affected by the bank holiday and how often they are paid:

8 money changes coming in February including Universal Credit and passport fees

• Universal Credit - Every month
• Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks
• Carer’s Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks
• Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks, or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits
• Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks
• Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks
• Income Support - Usually every two weeks
• Jobseeker’s Allowance - Usually every two weeks
• Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks
• Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks
• State Pension - Usually every four weeks
• Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly

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 relevant helpline.

However, you should be aware that the helpline is likely not open on the bank holiday itself - so you should try and contact them the day your benefit payment should've been paid - usually, helplines are open from 8am until 5pm Monday to Friday. You can find the helpline numbers for each DWP benefit on Gov.uk.

Ruby Flanagan