With the Spring bank holiday falling on Monday, May 25, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have confirmed that certain benefit payments will be brought forward. Claimants normally due payments on that day will instead receive them on Friday, May 22.
This adjustment affects benefits including Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Pension Credit, and more. The rationale is straightforward: the DWP and HMRC do not process payments on bank holidays, so they are credited on the previous working day.
The shift mirrors the arrangement earlier this month during the first May bank holiday on Monday, May 4, when affected claimants were paid on Friday, May 1.
The government posted on X:
“Information for claimants already receiving payments: If you are due to be paid on 25 May, you will be paid on 22 May. Please contact us straight away if there is a problem with your payment.”
How to Check if Your Benefits Are Affected
Your benefit schedule determines whether this adjustment applies:
- Monthly payments: Count four weeks forward from your last payment date. If it lands on a bank holiday, your payment will arrive on the previous working day.
- Weekly or biweekly payments: Payments are usually made on the scheduled day unless it coincides with a bank holiday, in which case it is paid earlier.
The amount remains unchanged, and payments go into your usual bank account. The only difference is the slightly longer gap until your next payment.
Common Benefit Payment Schedules
| Benefit | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Attendance Allowance | Every four weeks |
| Carer’s Allowance | Weekly in advance or every four weeks |
| Child Benefit | Every four weeks |
| Disability Living Allowance | Every four weeks |
| Employment and Support Allowance | Every two weeks |
| Income Support | Every two weeks |
| Jobseeker’s Allowance | Every two weeks |
| Pension Credit | Every four weeks |
| Personal Independence Payment | Every four weeks |
| State Pension | Every four weeks |
| Tax credits | Weekly or every four weeks |
| Universal Credit | Monthly |
Upcoming Bank Holidays
England & Wales
- Monday, May 25 – Spring bank holiday
- Monday, August 31 – Summer bank holiday
- Friday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Monday, December 28 – Boxing Day (substitute)
Scotland
- Monday, May 25 – Spring bank holiday
- Monday, June 15 – World Cup bank holiday
- Monday, August 3 – Summer bank holiday
- Monday, November 30 – St Andrew’s Day
- Friday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Monday, December 28 – Boxing Day (substitute)
Northern Ireland
- Monday, May 25 – Spring bank holiday
- Monday, July 13 – Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day, substitute)
- Monday, August 31 – Summer bank holiday
- Friday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Monday, December 28 – Boxing Day (substitute)
Contacting the DWP
If you were expecting a benefit payment and it hasn’t arrived, call the DWP helpline at 0800 328 5644. Note the helpline is closed on bank holidays, so plan to call the day before or after.
FAQs
1. Will my benefit amount change due to the bank holiday?
No, the payment amount stays the same.
2. What if my payment is late?
Contact the DWP helpline at 0800 328 5644.
3. Does this affect weekly benefits?
Only if your normal payment date coincides with a bank holiday.
4. When will payments return to normal?
Payments resume their regular schedule after the bank holiday.
5. Are both DWP and HMRC payments affected?
Yes, including Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Tax Credits, and other benefits.
