Millions on Universal Credit to be paid early this week due to May bank holiday

If you are due to be paid a benefit payment including Universal Credit, Child Benefit or the state pension on Monday, May 2, your money should arrive early. Here is when to expect your benefits over the May bank holiday

Benefit payments including Universal Credit will arrive early for some households ahead of the May bank holiday weekend.

The first May bank holiday day is next week, on Monday, May 2. For most workers in the UK, this means they’ll get to enjoy a three-day weekend.

But if you’d normally expect a benefit payment date on this day, your money will arrive in your bank account on a different date.

Keep in mind that if you get paid earlier, you will need to make your money last longer.

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

Have you had trouble receiving benefit payments? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

Benefit payment dates over the first May bank holiday

If you are due to be paid a benefit payment on Monday, May 2, your money should arrive on Friday, April 29 instead.

This covers most benefits such as tax credits, pension payments and Universal Credit if your usual payment date falls on a public holiday.

You won’t need to do anything as the payment will be made automatically on the different date.

Benefit payment dates over the second May bank holiday

The second May bank holiday normally falls on the last Monday in May each year.

But this year, it is being pushed back so workers have an extra long bank holiday weekend at the start of June to mark the Queen’s 70th year on the throne.

The bank holiday dates will be Thursday, June 2 (replacement Spring bank holiday) and Friday, June 3 (for the Queen’s Jubilee).

If you are due to receive benefit payments on these days, you will likely be paid early on Wednesday, June 1.

List of benefits affected by bank holidays

How often you get paid your benefit depends on what type of support you claim.

Universal Credit is paid 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.

When there is a bank holiday, the following benefits are usually affected:

• Attendance Allowance

• Carer’s Allowance

• Child Benefit

• Disability Living Allowance

• Employment and Support Allowance

• Income Support

• Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Pension Credit

• Personal Independence Payment

• State Pension

• Tax Credits (such as Working Tax Credit)

• Universal Credit

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 :

Child benefit :

Tax credits:

Other benefits :