UNIVERSAL Credit and other benefit payment dates can change over Easter because there are two bank holidays.
Here’s what you need to know about getting paid over the Easter weekend, including if you’ll get your money early.
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The date of the Easter weekend changes each year and can be any time between March 22 and April 25.
Easter 2021 falls in April and Good Friday on April 2 and Easter Monday on April 5 are both bank holidays.
Universal Credit is paid to claimants on the same day once a month.
If the payment would normally be on either of this year’s bank holiday dates then you might get paid early.
Child tax credits and working tax credits which top up your income are paid either weekly or every four weeks – and the same goes for child benefit.
In Northern Ireland St Patricks Day on March 17 means that child tax credits will be paid a day early on March 16.
Meanwhile other benefits such as employment support allowance (ESA), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), carer’s allowance, pension credit, Personal Independence Payments (PIP), attendance allowance and the state pension may also be affected by Easter.
Will my benefit payments be affected by the Easter holidays?
If you’re due to be paid your benefits over the Easter holidays then you should receive your money early.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has said that if you are due to be paid on Friday April 2, you’ll get your money a day early on Thursday April 1 instead.
If you are due to be paid on Monday April 5, you’ll also be paid on Thursday April 1 – three days early.
The DWP shared this handy picture so you can see the payment dates at a glance.
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If your payment date falls on a normal day that’s not a bank holiday, then you’ll get your payment as normal.
If you’re expecting a payment on either April 2 (Good Friday) or April 5 (Easter Monday) then you can expect to see them earlier on April 1
This early payment should happen automatically and you’ll get your money in the same way you usually do.
Will my payment amount change?
If you’re paid early then you will get your usual payment amount, although the amount may be different if you have a change in circumstances.
Such as, you start a new job, moved home or had a child.
If your payment is overdue, it is recommended that you check the date on your award notice and contact your bank before contacting the DWP.
What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit
IF you’re experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don’t cover costs, here are your options:
- Apply for an advance – Claimants are able to get some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment. But it’s a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit payout.
- Alternative Payment Arrangements – If you’re falling behind on rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an APA which will get your payment sent directly to your landlord. You might also be able to change your payments to get them more frequently, or you can split the payments if you’re part of a couple.
- Budgeting Advance – You may be able to get help from the Government for emergency household costs of up to £348 if you’re single, £464 if you’re part of a couple or £812 if you have children. These are only in cases like your cooker breaking down or for help getting a job. You’ll have to repay the advance through your regular Universal Credit payments. You’ll still have to repay the loan, even if you stop claiming for Universal Credit.
- Cut your Council Tax – You might be able to get a discount on your Council Tax by applying for a Council Tax Reduction. Alternatively, you might be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payments to help cover your rent.
- Foodbanks – If you’re really hard up and struggling to buy food and toiletries, you can find your local foodbank who will provide you with help for free. You can find your nearest one on the Trussell Trust website.
What other bank holidays could affect my benefit payments?
There are a number of bank holidays throughout the year, with May Day bank holiday the next one after Easter.
Here is a list of the rest for 2021:
- May 3
- May 31
- July 12 (Northern Ireland only)
- August 2 (Scotland only)
- August 30
- December 27
- December 28
- January 3, 2021
- January 4, 2021 (Scotland only)
In most cases the DWP says if you’re payment is on a bank holiday you’ll be paid on the working day before.
But there are differences for tax credits and child benefit and for Scotland and Northern Ireland bank holidays these may be paid after.
You can see the dates for child benefit payments here and for tax credits here.
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