The payment change will also impact some HMRC benefits, including Child Benefit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will pay some benefits including Universal Credit early next month.
There are two bank holidays next month to celebrate Easter. Good Friday falls on April 3 and Easter Monday is on April 6 – so if you’re due a benefit payment on one of these days, you’ll likely be paid earlier. This is because benefits are not paid on bank holidays.
You should be paid on the previous working day instead, which would be Thursday, April 2. But getting paid early does mean you have a longer wait between your next benefit payment.
The payment change will also impact some HMRC benefits, including Child Benefit, which is typically paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.
You will be paid in your normal bank account where your benefits are regularly paid. The amount you’re due to be paid will also remain the same unless your personal circumstances have changed.
When are benefits normally paid?
How often you get paid depends on what type of benefit 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. You can seee 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 think you haven’t been paid, first make sure you double check your bank account. If you’ve got the right payment date, and the money isn’t there, you should contact the relevant helpline. But keep in mind these are unlikely to be open on bank holidays.
Universal Credit:
- Call for free: 0800 328 5644
- Welsh speaking: 0800 328 1744
- Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 328 5644
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
- Welsh speaking: 0800 169 0207
- Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310
