May bank holidays: when your benefits will be paid

May has to be everyone’s favourite month, with not just one bank holiday, but two! While the extra-long weekends are great, they can leave you wondering when your benefits will be paid.

The good news is, you’ll usually be paid earlier.

If your benefit payment is due on a bank holiday, you won’t be left waiting. In most cases, you’ll be paid early instead of late.

That means:

• you’ll still receive the full amount
• your payment will arrive before the bank holiday
• no action is needed from you

Nothing changes unless your personal circumstances do.

May 2026 bank holidays that affect payments

There are two key dates to be aware of:

• Monday, 4 May 2026
• Monday, 25 May 2026

Because offices and services are closed on these days, payment schedules are brought forward.

Expected early payment dates

Both HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are expected to follow the same approach:

Original payment dates

• Monday, 4 May
• Monday, 25 May

New payment dates

• Friday, 1 May
• Friday, 22 May

This change happens because services like Jobcentres, helplines, and processing systems are closed on bank holidays.

Which benefits are affected?

DWP payments

If you receive any of the following, your payment may arrive early:

• state pension
• universal credit
• personal independence payment (PIP)
• attendance allowance
• carer’s allowance
• employment support allowance (ESA)
• income support
• jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
• pension credit

HMRC payments

The following payments are also affected:

• child benefit
• guardian’s allowance

Do you need to do anything?

You don’t need to do anything, as everything is handled automatically.

Just remember:

• your payment date may change temporarily
• you’ll still receive the same amount
• payments will return to normal after the bank holiday

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.