The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC are changing the day benefits are paid this month due to the August bank holiday.

This year's summer bank holiday for England and Wales falls on Monday, August 26 and if you are due a benefit payment that day, you will receive it early. This is because benefit payments are not paid on bank holidays. If you are not aware, the payment may seem unexpected.

However, this change is normal and aims to ensure that claimants have access to their benefits before the long weekend which can prevent any financial strains people could feel if their payments are delayed. Instead of your usual payment date on Monday, this month you will see the money come into your bank account on Friday, August 23.

Being paid early may sound great, as you will have some cash for the bank holiday weekend. However, you need to be aware that the money you receive will need to last you until your next benefit payment - so you'll need to make it last longer. The following benefit payments are usually affected by bank holidays and you should check to see if you are impacted this year:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Pension Credit
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • State pension
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Child Benefit
  • Guardian’s Allowance

If your payment date falls on a different day, you won’t need to do anything. The amount you get will remain the same and it will also be paid into the same bank account you usually get your benefits paid into. If you're expecting a payment and it doesn't arrive, you should contact the relevant helpline. It is important to remember that Jobcentres and phone lines will be closed on the bank holiday, so you'll need to call after these days.

The August bank holiday is the final bank holiday of the summer months with the next major UK bank holiday after August being Christmas and New Year in December. This means benefit claimants will not face another payment date shift until then.