There are two bank holidays next month which may result in benefit payments delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) being paid on different dates for some claimants.
Both bank holidays are UK-wide and may result in earlier payments if your regular, recurring day or date falls on them. This is because normal banking transactions will not be in operation and payments will be made on the last working day before each bank holiday.
The first bank holiday is on Monday, May 3 and the second is on Monday, May 31 and due to normal banking transactions being suspended, payments will be made on the last working day before each one.
DWP also confirmed through its Touchbase service that on Monday, May 3 and 31, Jobcentre Plus offices and phone lines will be closed.
DWP said: "Payment dates have been brought forward.
"Customers due to be paid on the Monday 3 May will be paid on Friday 30 April.
"Customers due to be paid on Monday, 31 May will be paid on Friday, May 28."
Here is a complete list of the benefit payment date changes from DWP and HMRC
The change in dates will affect anyone due to receive any of the following payments on:
- Monday, May 3 - will be paid on Friday, April 30
- Monday, May 31 - will be paid on Friday, May 28
Benefits to be paid early
Universal Credit
State Pension
Pension Credit
Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment
Child Benefit
Tax Credits
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Employment Support Allowance
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance
DWP guidance states: "If the expected payment date is not shown [on the list], customers will get their money on their usual payment date."
When will the money go into my account?
Depending on your bank, funds are available shortly after midnight on the day they are due, usually in the early hours.
Some banks deposit money into your account around 11.30pm so you can withdraw it before midnight on benefit payday. Others will release your funds at midnight or just a few minutes after that.
But in some cases you have to wait until between 2am and 3am, while others will not let you touch your money until at least 6am on payday.
These are the typical paying-in times for banks:
Clydesdale, Yorkshire - 11.30pm the night before to 12.30am
Lloyds - midnight to 1am
Bank of Scotland - midnight to 1.30am
Metro Bank - midnight to 2am
Barclays, Co-op - 1am to 2am
Natwest, RBS, Ulster Bank, Nationwide - 2am to 3am
Halifax - 3am to 4am
HSBC, Santander - 6am to 9am
You can find more information on GOV.UK for Child Benefit bank holidays here, Tax Credits bank holidays here and DWP benefits here.
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