Millions of people on Universal Credit, State Pension and PIP will be paid early this week due to the upcoming bank holidays.
Payments are being brought forward because of Good Friday on April 18 and Easter Monday on April 21.
There isn’t a set date for when all recipients of Universal Credit and other benefits receive their cash.
Your usual payment date depends on when you first applied for support and when your claim was approved.
This is because of the upcoming and bank holidays, which take place on April 18 and April 21.
For those due to be paid on either of the two bank holidays, your payment will land tomorrow, Thursday, April 17.
A total of 12 benefits will be paid tomorrow, ahead of the long weekend – here’s the full list:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Tax Credits (such as Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit
The early payment ensures you’re not left short of cash over the Easter weekend.
But keep in mind, even though you’re being paid sooner, you’ll need to make your money last until your next scheduled payment date.
If you were expecting your benefit and it hasn’t arrived, contact the DWP helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Outside of bank holidays, Universal Credit is usually paid on the same date each month.
Most people get their first payment around five weeks after applying.
It comes as benefit payments increased this April, with the rise in line with inflation.
For example, the standard allowance for a single person aged 25 or over rose from £393.45 to £400.14.
Joint claimants where one or both are over 25 now get £628.09, up from £617.60.
BENEFIT SHAKE UP
If you claim benefits you should be aware of a number of changes to the system.
Last month, the said it would mere job seekers allowance and employment allowance in a move which will see those who have worked get more cash.
Officials also announced new eligibility criteria for those claiming PIP.
To receive the £105 per week support, claimants must achieve a minimum score of four points in at least one of the daily living activities evaluated during the assessment to be eligible.
Currently, it is possible to qualify for the daily living component with a lower overall score spread across multiple activities.
The new changes are expected to come into effect next year.
