The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed key benefit payment dates for June 2026, as households brace for a significant increase in energy bills. Ofgem's energy price cap will rise by £221 a year to £1,862 from July, an increase of almost 13%, adding pressure on families already facing higher food, housing, and borrowing costs.
There are no bank holidays in June affecting the payment schedule, so payments will proceed as normal. State Pension continues to be paid every four weeks, with the payment day determined by the last two digits of the claimant's National Insurance number. Benefit rates were uplifted in April: Universal Credit standard allowances rose by 6.2%, with single claimants over 25 receiving £98 a week (up from £92) and couples over 25 receiving £154 a week (up from £145). Most disability and working-age benefits increased by 3.8%, and the full new State Pension rose by 4.8% to £241.05 a week under the triple lock.
However, reforms to the health-related element of Universal Credit mean new claimants now receive £50 a week rather than £105, and existing claimants' rates are frozen until 2029. Major energy suppliers such as British Gas, EDF, Octopus Energy, and Scottish Power continue to offer hardship schemes and grants. Households on lower incomes may also qualify for discounted broadband, water social tariffs, and up to 100% council tax support.
Councils in England are distributing assistance through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which replaced the Household Support Fund and discretionary housing payments in April. The DWP has advised a 'cash-first' approach. Universal Credit claimants may also be eligible for interest-free budgeting advance loans, repaid via future benefit deductions.
Despite the strain, billions in benefits go unclaimed each year. Policy in Practice figures cited by the DWP show eligible households fail to claim approximately £24bn annually. Around 24 million people currently receive some form of benefit or State Pension support, roughly one in three people in Britain. No new DWP cost of living payments are scheduled for 2026, following the conclusion of the previous scheme in February 2024.
