Benefit claimants including those who get Universal Credit might see their payments altered next month.
There is a bank holiday on Monday, August 29 - and if you’re due a benefit payment on this day, you might find you get paid earlier.
Being paid earlier than expected might seem like a good thing, but it does mean you’ll need to make your money last longer.
This is because you’ll have a longer wait until your next benefit payment. Make sure to factor this into your budget for September.
We explain how the August bank holiday could affect your benefits - and when you’ll be paid next month.
Does the bank holiday affect your benefits? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
Benefit payments over August bank holiday explained
If your benefit payment is due to fall on Monday, August 29, you should receive your cash the working day before this bank holiday.
That means you should get your money on Friday, August 26.
The amount you receive in benefits won’t change, and you’ll be paid into your bank, building society or credit union account as normal.
How often you get paid your benefit depends on what type of support you claim.
For example, you’ll get paid Universal Credit on the same day each month, while Tax Credits are typically paid every four weeks or weekly.
Child benefit is usually every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.
See the full list of how often certain benefits are paid below:
- 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
- Universal Credit - Every month
What if I don't get paid?
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.
Do keep in mind these are unlikely to be open on bank holidays.
Universal Credit :
Call for free: 0800 328 9344
Welsh speaking: 0800 012 1888
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Child benefit :
Call for free: 0300 200 3100
Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086
Tax credits:
Call HMRC for free: 0345 300 3900
From outside the UK: +44 2890 538 192
Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance:
Call for free: 0800 169 0310
Textphone: 0800 169 0314
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310