May Bank Holiday payment dates 2021: When will my benefits, Universal Credit or state pension be paid?

BENEFIT payment dates are often affected by bank holidays throughout the year.

The month of May brings not just one but two extra days off for many workers in the form of bank holidays.

The first May bank holiday falls on Monday, May 3, while the second falls on Monday, May 31.

Both Mondays will therefore not be working days for plenty of workers so the processing of payments will not take place as normal.

This means some benefit claimants will get their cash on dates they may not expect.

The national holidays will also affect Jobcentre opening times.

Both branches and phone lines will be closed on Monday, May 3 with a full normal service resuming on Tuesday, May 4.

They will also be closed on Monday, May 31 before opening as normal again from Tuesday, June 1.

Here’s everything you need to know about how the extra days off will affect your benefit payments:

When will my benefits be paid over the first May bank holiday?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that tax credit payment dates will change over the early May bank holiday.

Households who would expect to be paid tax credits on Monday, May 3, will instead be paid on the last working day before the bank holiday.

WHAT number you call depends on what type of benefit you need help with.

Universal Credit:

Lines are open from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.

Child benefit:

You’ll need your National Insurance number or child benefit number with you when you call.

Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am until 8pm and on Saturdays from 8am until 4pm.

Tax credits:

Lines open from 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am until 4pm on Saturday.

The helpline isn’t open on bank holidays.

Other benefits:

Lines open 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.

This means the payments will arrive in people’s bank accounts on Friday, April 30.

The same applies to Universal Credit, which is paid to people on the same day every month.

If your payment date usually falls on the 3rd of the month, you will be paid earlier due to it falling on the bank holiday Monday.

So instead of receiving your money on Monday, May 3, you will be paid on Friday, April 30 this year.

Meanwhile, child benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.

If you expect to get paid on May 3, you’ll also be paid on April 30 instead due to the bank holiday.

All other benefit payments like PIP and ESA as well as state pension payments are also expected to follow the same changes.

The same applies with the second May bank holiday on May 31.

The DWP has confirmed that tax credits will be paid on the last working day before the bank holiday – Friday, May 28.

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.

The same will apply to Universal Credit payments this weekend too.

If your monthly UC payment would usually land on May 31, then you will receive the payout on Friday, May 28.

Once again, child benefit payments set to go out on May 31 will also land in bank accounts on May 28 due to the bank holiday.

State pension payments and all other benefit payments like PIP and ESA will likely follow the same changes too.