The Department for Work and Pensions is set to implement its first change under the Labour Party government for Universal Credit and PIP claimants in the next fortnight. Due to the August Bank Holiday, those claiming Universal Credit, PIP and more will see a shift in their payment date.
The bank holiday, slated for Monday, August 26, impacts England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This means that State Pension and benefits including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), will be paid differently.
Official government advice states: “Benefits are usua-lly paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. “If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before. “It continues: “Your payment can include money for your rent or other housing costs.
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You’ll usually need to pay this to your landlord. If you’re not able to open a bank, building society or credit union account, call the Universal Credit helpline to arrange a different way of getting paid, reports Birmingham Live.
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“The next bank holiday in England and Wales falls on August 26 – the ‘summer’ bank holiday – with other upcoming bank holidays in England and Wales including December 25 and December 26, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.The guidelines further clarify: “After the first payment, you’ll be paid on the same date of every month. If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday, you’ll be paid on the working day before.
You can see your monthly statement in your online account. This tells you how much Universal Credit you’re going to get.
“It continues: “You can ask to have your Universal Credit paid differently if you need help managing a single monthly payment. This is called an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA).”
In 2025, bank holidays include 1 January, 18 April (Good Friday) and 21 April (Easter Monday), as well as 5 May (the early May bank holiday) and 26 May (the spring bank holiday).