THOUSANDS of Brits on Universal Credit can expect early payments this week because of Easter.
The bank holidays over Easter change the dates the money hits bank accounts.
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Bank holidays over Easter may mean that you might see cash hit your bank account before your usual payment date.
This means that many receiving Universal Credit and other benefits will receive their payment on a different day than usual.
The Government has confirmed that benefit payments due to land in accounts on Friday, April 7 and Monday, April 9 will be made early.
So if your payment is due on any of the dates between April 7 and April 10, you should expect to be paid the Thursday before, on April 6.
That’s because Good Friday and Easter Monday are classed as Bank holidays.
This will be adjusted automatically, so there’s no need to do anything.
If your payment falls outside of these dates, you shouldn’t expect any changes at all.
This is because everybody’s usual payment date depends on when you first applied and when your application for benefits was approved – so there is no set day for everyone.
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Usually, you receive your first payment seven days after the end of your initial assessment period.
You don’t need to do anything if your usual date for getting Universal Credit falls on a bank holiday.
But you should factor any early payments into your budget and make sure it lasts you long enough to take you through to the next month.
If your payment date falls on a normal date you’ll get your money as usual.
What other benefit payment dates will change over Easter?
The DWP has shared the full list of benefits that will be paid early because of Easter.
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Tax Credits (such as Working Tax Credit)
The same rules apply. If you’re due a payment on April 7 or 10 then you’ll get it on 6.
This applies to those on Tax Credits as well.
For bank holidays in Scotland and Northern Ireland which are different, households there may be paid after their usual payment date.
If you don’t receive your benefit payment on time, it’s worth checking with your bank first before contacting the DWP.
If something’s not right, you can also submit a complaint to the DWP.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
