Full list of benefits that could be paid early today including Universal Credit

25 August 2023 , 09:14

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Benefits will be paid early this month due the the August bank holiday (Image: Matt Gilley/PlymouthLive)

August will bring another bank holiday and this means payment dates for certain benefits will change - with some being paid today.

This year, the August bank holiday falls on Monday, August 28 for people living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. People in Scotland had a bank holiday earlier in the month on August 7. It’s always held on the first Monday in August in Scotland, and on the last Monday of the month in the rest of the country.

If you are due a benefit payment on the bank holiday Monday and you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, then you will likely receive this earlier than normal. This is because benefit payments are not normally paid or processed on bank holidays as many businesses, companies and Government staff are off that day.

Being paid early may sound great, as you will have some cash for the bank holiday weekend. However, you need to be aware that the money you receive will need to last you until your next benefit payment - so you'll need to make it last longer.

Benefit payment date for August bank holiday

If you are expecting a payment on Monday, August 28, then you should expect to receive your money one working day earlier on Friday, August 25 instead. This means your payment will likely be in your account this week. 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.

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That applies to anyone expecting to receive any of the following from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HMRC in August:

• Universal Credit
• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Employment Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Tax Credits
• Child Benefit

The amount you get will also remain the same and it will also be paid into the same account you normally receive your benefit payment.

The August bank holiday is the final bank holiday of the summer months with the next major UK bank holiday after August being Christmas and New Year in December. This means benefit claimants will not face another payment date shift until then.

What should I do if I don't get paid?

If you're expecting a payment and it doesn't arrive, then you should contact the relevant helpline as soon as you can. This is important as Jobcentres and DWP phone lines will be closed on bank holidays. You can find the relevant number for the helpline of your benefit on GOV.UK here.

Ruby Flanagan