THOUSANDS on Universal Credit and other benefits will wake up to a surprise DWP payment in their bank accounts tomorrow.
Any benefit payments due on a public holiday are paid on the first working day before.
And because they are not usually transferred into bank accounts over the weekend, anyone expecting one on Monday, August 25 will receive it tomorrow, Friday, August 22, instead.
While payment dates will change because of the bank holiday, the amount you receive shouldn’t, unless you’ve had a change in circumstances.
Remember, if you are paid early, you’ll have to make any benefit amounts last longer than usual.
So make sure you budget so as not to run out of money before your next payment.
If you are expecting an early payment and don’t get it, double-check the date you are usually paid and contact your bank.
If you require any further help, you should contact the DWP.
You can also file a complaint with the DWP regarding any unpaid benefits.
You can go to www.gov.uk/how-to-have-your-benefits-paid for more information.
Payments aren’t just being made early this month, but in December as well.
If you are expecting a payment on December 25 or 26, it will be paid on December 24 – Christmas Eve.
OTHER BENEFITS NEWS
Thousands of households on old-style legacy benefits are being moved to Universal Credit via Managed Migration.
The whole process is expected to be finished by 2026 after it officially began back in July 2022 following a successful pilot.
Households receiving one of a number of legacy benefits have been receiving letters outlining what they need to do to move across to Universal Credit.
Upon receiving a migration letter, claimants are given up to three months to make the switch.
If you fail to do this, it could lead to losing access to your current benefits.
The DWP has already closed new claims for four legacy benefits – tax credits, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, and housing benefit.
Households still receiving income-related employment and support allowance (ESA) are now being urged to make the move to Universal Credit.
ESA provides financial support for those unable to work due to illness or disability.
Initially, the government planned to transfer all ESA claimants to Universal Credit by the end of 2028.
However, this deadline has since been brought forward to March 2026.
Meanwhile, households on benefits like Universal Credit might be eligible for free cash via the Household Support Fund (HSF).
Plus, a record 8million people are now claiming Universal Credit, the latest figures reveal.