BENEFIT claimants have been warned by the government that payments could be delayed.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced people due payments today, September 21, could receive them later than usual.
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Benefit payments are usually made just after midnight, though the exact time you get the payment can depend on who you bank with.
But many people have complained they are waiting for the cash to hit bank accounts long after they are normally due.
In a tweet, the DWP said: “People due payments on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 September will be paid throughout the day of their expected payment date.”
It added no one needs to contact the department to check about payments.
People have complained that Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments are affected.
Angry claimants have taken to Twitter following the announcement.
One person said: “I’m overdrawn so not happy one bit…surely a letter or text telling people about this rather than a tweet would of (sic) been more appropriate.
“I’ll be worrying all day now and can’t get the shopping I need.”
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Another person added: “Woke up to find myself £140 overdrawn because of this.
“Will DWP refund my bank charges?”
While one added: “I’m a vulnerable person, with health challenges, can’t use my stairlift or hospital bed because I can’t afford electricity.
“Payment due today and none received. What do I do cause no one is picking my call. I’m in distress.”
The full list of payments affected includes:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Universal Credit
- Child Benefit/Guardian’s Allowance
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
The Queen’s funeral Bank Holiday saw millions of benefit claimants receive payments early last week.
People who were due to receive payments on Monday, September 19, were instead paid on September 16.
That’s because this was the last working day before the State Funeral.
This is standard procedure for the Department for Work and Pensions and sees benefit recipients receive payments earlier if their normal pay date falls on a Bank Holiday.
How do I make a complaint?
If you’ve been left out of pocket by the payment delays, possibly through late payment fees, it might be worth contacting your bank in the first instance to see what they can do.
You will most likely need evidence of any possible late payment.
Each bank will have its own complaints process – so you should check with yours directly.
You can also complain to the DWP about any aspect of its service you’ve received.
You’ll need your National Insurance number, your full name, address and contact number, details on what happened, when it happened and how it affected you and what you want to be done to correct the issue.
You can call the DWP’s complaints line for free on 0800 3285 644 if you have a Universal Credit account or 0800 3289 344 if you don’t.
Phone lines are open between 8am and 6pm.
Alternatively, you can make a complaint using the online form.
Letters should be sent to DWP Complaints, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton, WV99 2GY.
You should check out DWP’s website for further details.
