Easter bank holidays may affect your benefit payments

The easter weekend is just around the corner - and that could affect when your benefit payments will arrive.

Good Friday lands on 3 April, followed by Easter Monday on 6 April.

So if you were expecting any payments on those days, they’ll come a little early.

What’s changing?

If your usual payment date falls on a bank holiday, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will bring the payment forward to the last working day before the holiday.

So any payments due on 3 April or 6 April will land on 2 April.

Most benefits are affected by these changes, including universal credit, state pension, personal independence payment (PIP), employment and support allowance (ESA), child benefit and carer’s allowance.

Even though payments come early, the amount doesn’t increase, so it’s important to budget carefully to make your money last until your next payment.

Don’t panic if the payment doesn’t arrive straight away

The time your money appears may vary depending on who you bank with, so while some claimants might get the payment just after midnight, others might not see it for another few hours.

So don’t panic if you check your account first thing on 2 April and your payment has arrived.

If it’s not there by the morning of your scheduled date, it’s often still on its way.

What to do if your payment doesn’t arrive

If the money you’re expecting doesn’t appear, check with your bank to see if the payment is pending.

If your bank can’t see the payment, contact the office that handles your benefit. 

The right number depends on your claim:

• universal credit: 0800 328 5644
• PIP: 0800 121 4433
• ESA or JSA: 0345 608 8545
• carer’s allowance: 0345 608 4321
• pension credit: 0800 99 1234
• housing benefit: contact your local council

If you’re waiting for your first payment or a delay is causing financial difficulty, you may be able to ask for a short-term benefit advance. 

But while this gives you temporary support, it must be repaid from future payments.