Millions of people receiving payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will get their money earlier than expected this month because of the summer bank holiday.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the summer bank holiday falls on Monday, August 31. Anyone due to receive a payment on that date will be paid on the previous working day instead, which is Friday, August 28.
Which payments are affected?
The change applies to a number of DWP payments, including the State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and other benefits that would usually be paid on a bank holiday.
People do not normally need to contact the DWP for the earlier payment. When a payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, it is generally brought forward automatically to the previous working day.
Official guidance
Official guidance on GOV.UK states: "Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before. This may be different for Child Benefit."
For state pensioners whose usual payment date is Monday, August 31, their money is expected to arrive in their bank account on Friday, August 28 instead. The earlier payment does not mean people are receiving any extra money; it is simply being issued ahead of schedule because of the bank holiday.
State Pension amounts
The State Pension is normally paid every four weeks, with the exact payment day depending on an individual's National Insurance number. The payment date change is separate from the annual State Pension increase that took effect in April. During the 2026/27 tax year, the full new State Pension is worth £241.30 a week, up from £230.25 in 2025/26, while the full basic State Pension increased from £176.45 to £184.90 a week.
The amount each pensioner receives depends on their National Insurance record and personal circumstances, so not everyone will get the full rate.
Most DWP benefits will continue to be paid as normal throughout August, with only those due on the bank holiday affected. If your regular payment date falls on Monday, August 31, you should not need to make a separate claim or contact the DWP. The payment should arrive automatically on Friday, August 28, provided your bank details remain unchanged.
