THOUSANDS on Universal Credit will receive surprise payments into their bank accounts today.
Bank holidays affect when benefit payments are made meaning you could receive yours earlier than usual ahead of the long weekend.
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If you are set to receive a Universal Credit payment on Monday, May 26, you will see it land in your account today instead (May 23).
That’s because if your benefit payment date falls on a bank holiday, the payment is usually made the first working day before this.
Because benefits are not paid on weekend days, that means the first working day before May 26 is today.
So, anyone who usually has their benefits paid into their bank account on the 24th or 25th of every month will also be paid today.
Read more on Universal Credit
While payment dates will change this weekend, the amount you receive shouldn’t, unless you’ve had a change in circumstances.
But remember that if you do get paid early, you’ll have to make your benefits last longer than usual.
So make sure you budget accordingly 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.
Should you need 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 won’t just be made early this month, but on two more occasions this year – in August and December, when the next bank holidays land.
Anyone expecting a payment on August 25 should receive it on August 22 instead.
If you are expecting a payment on December 25 or 26, it will be paid on December 24 – Christmas Eve.
OTHER BENEFIT CHANGES
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 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.
Fail to do this and it could lead to you losing access to your current benefits.
The Department for Work and Pensions (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.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
