There are two bank holidays coming up in May – so if you’re due a benefit payment on one of these dates, you will likely be paid earlier than normal
Thousands of people who claim benefits may find their payment date could change next month. This is because there are two bank holidays coming up in May.
This can impact people claiming benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC, such as Universal Credit and Child Benefit. The first bank holiday is on Monday, May 5.
If you would normally be due a benefit payment on this date, then you will be paid on Friday, May 2 instead. The DWP and HMRC do not pay benefit payments on bank holidays – they normally arrive on the previous working day.
The second bank holiday is on Monday, May 26 – so if you’re due a benefit payment on this date, your money should arrive on Friday, May 23 instead.
The amount you’re paid will be exactly the same, and it will be paid into your regular bank account as normal. The only difference is, you will need to make your money last longer, as you’ll have a bigger wait until your next benefit payment.
If you were expecting your benefit and it hasn’t arrived, contact the DWP helpline on 0800 328 5644. Keep in mind this helpline is closed on bank holiday days, but you will be able to get in touch the previous working day, or the day after the bank holiday.
When are benefits normally paid?
- Attendance Allowance – Usually every four weeks
- Carer’s Allowance – Weekly in advance or every four weeks
- Child Benefit – Usually every four weeks
- 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
Bank holidays in England and Wales
- Wednesday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
- Friday, April 18 – Good Friday
- Monday, April 21 – Easter Monday
- Monday, May 5 – Early May bank holiday
- Monday, May 26 – Spring bank holiday
- Monday, August 25 – Summer bank holiday
- Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Friday, December 26 – Boxing Day
Bank holidays in Scotland
- Wednesday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
- Thursday, January 2 – January 2
- Friday, April 18 – Good Friday
- Monday, May 5 – Early May bank holiday
- Monday, May 26 – Spring bank holiday
- Monday, August 4 – Summer bank holiday
- Monday, December 1 – St Andrew’s Day
- Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Friday, December 26 – Boxing Day
Bank holidays in Northern Ireland
- Wednesday, January 1 – New Year’s Day
- Monday, March 17 – St Patrick’s Day
- Friday, April 18 – Good Friday
- Monday, April 21 – Easter Monday
- Monday, May 5 – Early May bank holiday
- Monday, May 26 – Spring bank holiday
- Monday, July 14 – Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)
- Monday, August 25 – Summer bank holiday
- Thursday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Friday, December 26 – Boxing Day
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