Universal Credit, State Pensions, Child Benefit, PIP and other benefits may be affected by changes due to the May bank holidays next month.
Both Monday May 5 and Monday May 26 are bank holidays where payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) won't be made. If you are due to receive a DWP benefit payment on either day, you may find you receive it early.
When a payment date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, then the Department for Work and Pensions says the claimant is generally paid on the working day before.
Payments due on the first bank holiday on Monday 5 May will now be made on Friday 2 May, while payments due on Monday 26 May will be made on Friday 23 May.
If your payment is due on a different day, it will arrive in your account as normal and the amount you are due to be paid will remain the same.
These are the benefits that may be affected by the two May bank holiday weekends:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State pension
- Tax Credits
- Universal Credit
While you may be paid earlier in some cases, the money will also have to last you longer, as payment dates will return to normal afterwards.
Recommended reading:
- DWP benefits rise - how much and when do they go up?
- Who can get an increased HMRC personal tax allowance, and how to apply
- DWP state pensions underpaid by £800 million - check your payments
How about other bank holidays in 2025?
These are the bank holidays in 2025, and the expected payment dates.
Public holidays in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Your payment might be delayed if the bank is closed for a public holiday on the day HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) pays you.
Local holidays in Scotland
Your payment might be delayed because of local holidays if you live in the following places:
- Glasgow - local holiday on 29 September
- Edinburgh - local holiday on 15 September
- Dundee - local holiday on 6 October
Check with your bank for the date you’ll get your payment.
