As 2025 rolls around, it is crucial for UK residents receiving State Pension or benefits to note the upcoming changes to payment dates. When you receive your funds can depend on bank holidays throughout the year.
Understanding Payment Date Adjustments
The DWP usually operates its payments on fixed dates. When a payment date falls on a bank holiday, companies usually make the payment on the last working day beforehand. The amount you pay per month does not change unless your circumstances have changed.
Major Payment Holidays in 2025 Questions
On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the company will process payments as planned to account for New Year’s Day on January 1, 2026.
Payments due on Good Friday (April 18) and Easter Monday (April 21) will likely be processed on Thursday, April 17.
Payments scheduled for Early May Bank Holiday (May 5) will be received on Friday, May 2, ensuring timely processing.
With the Spring Bank Holiday on May 26 approaching, the system will advance payments to Friday, May 23.
Summer Bank Holiday (August 25): Expect payments on Friday, August 22.
Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26): Payments will be processed on Wednesday, December 24.
To ensure beneficiaries can access their cash without waiting, even when banks are closed, the system implements these changes.
DWP benefits and payments that may be affected:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
HMRC New Year payment dates
HMRC has confirmed changes to Tax Credits. Transitioning ahead of schedule, we will issue payments due on January 1 on Tuesday, December 31. Full details on GOV.UK .
Child Benefit payment date change
Payment due on Monday, December 30 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 31
Tax Credits payment date change
Payment due on Wednesday, January 1 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 31
Consequences of Early Payments
Getting payments early is in effect a longer period until the next expected payment. It is important to plan for this long time frame when budgeting. If you don’t see your payment on the new date, check with your bank first. The DWP must be contacted on either if problems arise.
Upcoming Changes to the State Pension and Benefits
Besides shifts in payment dates, there are programmed increases:
State Pension: The State Pension will increase from 7 April 2025 by 4.1% under the triple lock mechanism. This means the maximum new State Pension will rise from £221.20 to £230.31 a week.
Other benefits: From April 2025, other benefits, including Universal Credit, will rise by 1.7%.
Ensuring You’re Receiving All Entitlements
Given the rising cost of living, ensure you verify and claim all the benefits you are entitled to. Online calculators can assist in this process:
- Turn2Us Benefits Calculator
- Entitledto Benefits Calculator
- Policy in Practice Benefits Calculator
These tools can help determine eligibility for various benefits and provide estimates of potential entitlements
