The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that benefit and state pension payments due on the May bank holidays will be made early. Payments scheduled for Monday 4 May and Monday 25 May will instead be processed on the preceding Friday: 1 May and 22 May respectively.
This change affects a range of benefits including Attendance Allowance and the state pension. Recipients do not need to take any action, as payments will revert to their normal schedule from June onwards. However, the early payment means that the same amount of money must last longer until the next regular payment date.
The state pension is typically paid every four weeks, but recipients can request weekly payments. Those with National Insurance numbers ending 00 to 19 are paid on Mondays, meaning they may be affected by both bank holidays. The DWP advises checking award notices before contacting helplines if payments are missed.
Benefit and state pension rates increased on 6 April at the start of the new tax year. However, some recipients, particularly those on Universal Credit, may not see the higher rates until May or June payments, as the increase applies only after a full assessment period beginning after 6 April.
