2026 bank holiday dates that could affect your benefit payments

We all love a good bank holiday weekend and there are plenty to look forward to in 2026. But bank holidays can affect when you get your benefit payments, so it’s good to know what to expect.

The good news

If your payment date falls on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid early, not late.
So if anything changes, you should get your money before the bank holiday.

Do you need to do anything?

If your payment date changes because of a bank holiday, you don’t need to do anything.

• you’ll still get the same amount
• you’ll just receive it earlier
• nothing changes unless your circumstances change

To help you plan ahead, here are the 2026 bank holidays that could affect your payments.

2026 bank holidays in England and Wales

• Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
• Friday 3 April – Good Friday
• Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
• Monday 4 May – Early May bank holiday
• Monday 25 May – Spring bank holiday
• Monday 31 August – Summer bank holiday
• Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
• Monday 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute day)

2026 bank holidays in Scotland

• Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
• Friday 2 January – 2 January holiday
• Friday 3 April – Good Friday
• Monday 4 May – Early May bank holiday
• Monday 25 May – Spring bank holiday
• Monday 3 August – Summer bank holiday
• Monday 30 November – St Andrew’s Day
• Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
• Monday 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute day)

2026 bank holidays in Northern Ireland

• Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
• Tuesday 17 March – St Patrick’s Day
• Friday 3 April – Good Friday
• Monday 6 April – Easter Monday
• Monday 4 May – May Day bank holiday
• Monday 25 May – Spring bank holiday
• Monday 13 July – Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)
• Monday 31 August – Summer bank holiday
• Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
• Monday 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute day)

Plan ahead so you’re not caught out

To help you plan ahead and avoid any nasty surprises, check out our month-by-month guide to the key financial dates you’ll want to mark in your diary.

You can also see the exact benefit rate changes from April 2026.

Are you missing out on benefits?

If you think you might be missing out on benefits, it’s a good idea to check if you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to. 

You can get in touch or use our benefits calculator.