The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have announced that certain benefit payments scheduled for Monday, May 25 will be rescheduled to Friday, May 22, due to the bank holiday. This adjustment applies to a range of benefits including State Pension, Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Child Benefit, and Attendance Allowance.
Why Are Payments Changing?
DWP offices and telephone lines will be closed on the bank holiday, meaning that payments cannot be processed as usual. To ensure recipients receive their money on time, the DWP and HMRC have moved the payment date to the preceding working day. This is a standard practice for bank holidays.
Full List of Affected DWP Payments
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension (full and basic rate)
- Universal Credit
HMRC Payments Affected
- Child Benefit
- Guardian’s Allowance
Important Information for Universal Credit Claimants
If you claim Universal Credit as a couple, you will usually receive a single payment for your household. This can be paid into a joint bank account or one individual account. If you have children, the payment typically goes into the main carer’s bank account. Money Helper advises: "Only consider opening a joint bank account with someone you trust, as it could damage your credit score if they have poor credit and you could be responsible if they run up debt. If you’re worried your partner might control your money or misuse it, you can ask your work coach for separate or more frequent payments confidentially."
Recipients are advised to check their bank accounts on Friday, May 22, as payments will be processed earlier than usual. This change applies only to payments due on Monday, May 25; other payment dates remain unaffected.
