The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has indicated that benefits payments may be disrupted due to two bank holidays in May. According to multiple reports, there are two bank holidays in May: Monday, May 4 and Monday, May 25. If a payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the DWP pays on the earliest working day before the due date. This means that claimants whose usual payment day coincides with either of these holidays will receive their money earlier than usual.
However, there is confusion regarding the payment date for the second bank holiday on May 25. The Daily Express reported that if payment is due on Monday, May 25, it will be paid on Friday, May 1. This appears to be a factual error, as the correct early payment date should be the preceding working day, which is Friday, May 22. Readers relying on the Daily Express may be misled about when to expect their payment. Other sources indicate that the early payment for the May 25 holiday will be made on Friday, May 22, not May 1.
The day on which State Pension is paid is determined by the two-digit code at the end of the claimant's National Insurance number. According to major media reports, National Insurance numbers ending 00-19 correspond to a Monday payment day. The DWP states: "You'll be asked when you want to start getting your State Pension when you claim. Your first payment will be no later than 5 weeks after the date you choose. You'll get a full payment every 4 weeks after that. You might get part of a payment before your first full payment. The letter confirming your State Pension payment will tell you what to expect. The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance number. You might be paid earlier if your normal payment day is a bank holiday."
You'll be asked when you want to start getting your State Pension when you claim. Your first payment will be no later than 5 weeks after the date you choose. You'll get a full payment every 4 weeks after that. You might get part of a payment before your first full payment. The letter confirming your State Pension payment will tell you what to expect. The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance number. You might be paid earlier if your normal payment day is a bank holiday.
Getting paid early means a longer wait until the next payment, as the payment schedule shifts. However, the payment amount remains the same unless personal circumstances change. Claimants should be aware that the early payment does not represent extra money; it is simply an advance of the regular payment. The following month's payment will be due on the usual date, meaning the gap between payments will be longer than normal.
The payment change also impacts some HMRC benefits, including Child Benefit. Universal Credit is paid every month, while Child Benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. Attendance Allowance is usually paid every four weeks, Employment and Support Allowance is usually paid every two weeks, and Pension Credit is usually paid every four weeks. Claimants of these benefits should check their payment schedules to see if they are affected by the bank holidays.
If a payment is not received, claimants should first check their bank account to confirm whether the payment has been made. If it has not arrived, they should contact the relevant helpline. However, helplines are unlikely to be open on bank holidays, so claimants may need to wait until the next working day to report a missing payment. It is advisable to check account details in advance and ensure that the DWP and HMRC have up-to-date contact information.
In summary, the May bank holidays will cause early payments for many DWP and HMRC benefit claimants. While the early payment may be convenient, it also means a longer wait until the next payment. Claimants should verify their payment dates and be aware of the potential for confusion, particularly regarding the May 25 holiday. If a payment does not arrive, claimants should check their bank account and contact the relevant helpline, though helplines may be closed on bank holidays.