The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is paying benefits early this month with many receiving their payments today.

The reason for the change is due to the August bank holiday which this year falls on Monday, August 26. As the benefits department doesn't make payments on bank holidays, if you are due money you will receive it today instead. If you are not aware of this rule, then today's payment may be unexpected.

The change is normal as it aims to ensure claimants have access to their benefits before the long weekend to prevent any financial strains delayed payments could make. 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:

  • Attendance Allowance - usually paid every four weeks
  • Carer’s Allowance - usually paid every four weeks
  • Employment Support Allowance (ESA) - usually paid every two weeks
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) - usually paid every two weeks
  • Pension Credit - usually paid every four weeks
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - usually paid every four weeks
  • State pension - usually paid every four weeks
  • Universal Credit - usually paid every month
  • Working Tax Credit - usually every four weeks or weekly
  • Child Tax Credit - usually every four weeks or weekly
  • Child Benefit - usually every four weeks - or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits.
  • Guardian’s Allowance - usually every four weeks

However, to find out whether your payment is affected, you should your benefit claim to see the exact date for your next payment. 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.