DWP Easter 2026 payment date changes

Millions of people rely on benefit payments, universal credit, or the state pension each month. April can be tricky because of the Easter bank holidays. Payments that usually land on a public holiday usually get moved.

Here’s all the changes you need to be aware of this year.

Payments arrive early this Easter

Good Friday falls on 3 April this year and Easter Monday is 6 April. Banks and government payment systems are closed on those days. The DWP moves payments to the working day before. This means affected payments will arrive on Thursday 2 April.

Who gets paid early

People with payments scheduled for Good Friday or Easter Monday will see their money land on Thursday 2 April. This includes universal credit, state pension, pension credit, child benefit, and most disability benefits. The amount stays the same. Only the date changes.

Who is not affected

If your usual payment date isn’t on Good Friday or Easter Monday, your money will arrive as normal. Anyone paid earlier in the week won’t notice a change. Only payments scheduled for the 3rd or 6th are brought forward.

No action needed

You don’t need to call the DWP or fill in any forms. The system adjusts payments automatically. Early payments might change the gap before your next one. So if you are on a tight budget, it’s worth planning for this.

Benefit increases also kick in

April 2026 also brings annual benefit increases. The state pension has risen by 4.8%, bringing the full new state pension to £241.30 a week and the basic state pension to £184.90. Universal credit standard allowances have gone up by between 6.2% and 6.7%. This means monthly single over-25s payments have risen to £424.90, while those under 25 have risen to £338.58 to help with living costs. Other benefits, like PIP and attendance allowance, have increased by 3.8%. These changes have happened automatically.