As coronavirus continues to impact every household in Scotland, concerns over cash are becoming even more important so it’s essential to know what money you’ll have coming in and when to expect it.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that benefits due to be paid on certain dates during May will be made early.
There are two bank holidays in May which will affect all DWP payments that fall on those dates as normal financial transactions will be suspended.
If anyone is due to receive a benefit payment, including Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or if they’re still on Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) during that time period, they will receive it early.
If State Pension is due on these dates, it will also be paid early.
The first bank holiday is on Friday, May 8 - which means DWP payments due on that day will be paid on Thursday, May 7.
The bank holiday on Friday May 8 was arranged in June last year to coincide with VE Day to mark the 75th anniversary of the formal end to the Second World War.
Monday, May 25 will be the next bank holiday - which means DWP payments due on that day will be paid on Friday, May 22.
Full list of benefits that will be affected and how often they are paid
Attendance Allowance – usually every four weeks
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
Carer’s Allowance – weekly in advance or every four weeks
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
Child Benefit - usually every four weeks or weekly if the claimant is a single parent or they receive certain other benefits
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
Disability Living Allowance – usually every four weeks
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
Employment and Support Allowance – usually every two weeks
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
Income Support – usually every two weeks
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
Jobseeker’s Allowance – usually every two weeks
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
Pension Credit – usually every four weeks
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
Personal Independence Payment – usually every four weeks
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
State Pension – usually every four weeks
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
Tax Credits, such as Working Tax Credits – every four weeks or weekly
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, you will receive it on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday, May 25, you will receive it on Friday May 22.
Universal Credit – usually same date every month
If you are due to be paid on Friday May 8, Saturday May 9 or Sunday May 10, you will be paid on Thursday May 7.
If you are due to be paid on Monday May 25, you will be paid on Friday May 22.
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:
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Clydesdale, Yorkshire - 11.30pm the night before to 12.30am
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Lloyds - midnight to 1am
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Bank of Scotland - midnight to 1.30am
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Metro Bank - midnight to 2am
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Barclays, Co-op - 1am to 2am
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Natwest, RBS, Ulster Bank, Nationwide - 2am to 3am
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Halifax - 3am to 4am
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HSBC, Santander - 6am to 9am
