The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed benefit payment dates for June 2026, with no bank holidays affecting the schedule. Payments will proceed as normal throughout the month.
This announcement comes as households face a steep rise in energy bills, with Ofgem increasing the price cap by £221 to £1,862 annually from July, a rise of nearly 13%. The hike, driven by instability in global oil and gas markets, adds pressure on families already struggling with food, housing, and borrowing costs.
Benefit rates increased in April 2026, with Universal Credit standard allowances rising by 6.2%. Single claimants over 25 now receive £98 a week, up from £92, while couples over 25 get £154, up from £145. Most disability and working-age benefits rose by 3.8%, and the full new State Pension increased by 4.8% to £241.05 a week under the triple lock. However, new claimants of the health-related element of Universal Credit now receive £50 a week instead of £105, with existing claimant rates frozen until 2029.
The DWP encourages households to check available support, including hardship schemes from major energy providers like British Gas, EDF, Octopus Energy, and Scottish Power. Low-income households may also qualify for discounted broadband, water social tariffs, and up to 100% council tax support. Councils in England are distributing assistance via the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which replaced the Household Support Fund in April, with a 'cash-first' approach.
Universal Credit claimants can apply for interest-free budgeting advance loans, repaid through future benefit deductions. Despite widespread need, approximately £24bn in benefits and assistance goes unclaimed annually, according to Policy in Practice data. Around 24 million people in Britain currently receive some form of benefit or State Pension support. No new DWP cost of living payments are scheduled for 2026, following the conclusion of the previous scheme in February 2024.
