Thousands of benefit claimants are getting unexpected payments today

06 April 2023 , 10:18

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Benefits claimants might be receiving their payments early today (Image: Getty Images)

Some benefit claimants including Universal Credit households are receiving their payments earlier than expected today.

The long Easter weekend means there are two bank holiday dates coming up.

Tomorrow (April 7) is Good Friday and then there is Easter Monday (April 10).

If you were due to receive a benefit normally on these calendar days, then it is likely you would have been paid today instead.

Being paid earlier may seem like a good thing, but it means you will need to make your money last longer.

This is because there will be a longer wait until your next payment.

If you're due to be paid on a different day, you won't need to do anything - the money will be paid into your account as normal.

The amount you're due to be paid will also remain the same.

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 - so you'd only be affected by one of the bank holiday days over Easter.

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
Warning as millions on Universal Credit could miss out on hundreds of pounds
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

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:

Child benefit:

Tax credits:

Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance: