The Department for Work and Pensions have revealed which benefit and pension payments will be paid this month, with growing fears the government could be changing certain benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions has revealed the dates in which Brits will get their pension and benefit payments amid huge rising winter costs.
Essentials such as heating, food and water are more expensive than ever due to high inflation over the past few years. Now, several Brits are feeling the strain – and are welcoming their next payment. Inflation spiked to 2.6 per cent in November, continuing the steep rise of late 2024, and have not yet gone down to how they were.
In result, bills are now outpacing stagnant wage growth – which is thought to only get worse over the winter months. Back in October, Labour revealed their budget, with Rachel Reeves promising to “support people with the cost of living.”
Now, national living wage should rise by 6.7% this year, while the state pension will be uprated by 4.1%, and benefits by 1.7%. The winter fuel payment for all pensioners was cut, and many of those who were eligible are still supposedly waiting.
Benefit payment dates in January
Benefits and pension payments will be going out as normal in January for the most part. Expected payments are as follows:
- Universal Credit
- State pension
- Pension credit
- Child benefit
- Disability living allowance
- Personal independence payment
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Employment support allowance
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance
When you receive the payment depends on when you made the application, but they should be in your account 7-15 days after the payment has been approved.
This payment may feel later than others, as payments set to be made on New Years Day were brought forward to accommodate the bank holiday, meaning there is more time between the next.
The DWP are thought to be making changes this year, as the confirmed a consultation will be launched in Spring on reformed to sickness and disability allowances. Minister Liz Kendall says the changes will be designed “to ensure the system is better supporting people.”
Support payments could face cuts in the next Labour Budget, reports the Telegraph, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves keen to get “tough” on spending rather than raise taxes. Ms Reeves is considering cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), a welfare benefit that can see recipients receive up to £9,600 a year.
The benefit currently costs the Department of Work and Pensions around £22 billion, a figure forecast to increase to £35 billion over the next five years.
In 2019, around 2,200 new payments a month were being made to people with anxiety or depressive orders. The next spring budget in the UK is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in which Reeves is expected to make changes to the benefit.
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