Easter Bank Holiday Changes to Benefits and State Pension Payments
As the Easter bank holiday weekend approaches, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have confirmed changes to benefits, tax credits, and state pension payment dates. According to a report from GB News, claimants of certain benefits will receive their payments earlier than expected ahead of the holiday.
The changes will affect payment dates for various benefits, including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and the state pension. A DWP spokesperson confirmed: "To make sure people get their payment on a day when our offices are open, arrangements have been made to make some payments early." Specifically, benefit payments that would normally be due on Good Friday (April 18) or Easter Monday (April 21) will be paid early on Thursday, April 17.
Impact on Benefit Payments
The early payment arrangement ensures that recipients do not have to wait until after the holiday weekend to receive their money. However, any claimants whose regular payment dates fall outside the bank holidays will receive their money as usual in their bank or building society account. The change affects payments from both the DWP and HMRC, and a total of 12 benefits and payments administered by both departments will be impacted.
As GB News reports, the following DWP payments will be affected by the Easter holiday date change:
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- State pension
- Income Support
Additionally, the following HMRC payments will be impacted:
- Guardian’s Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Tax credits, including Working Tax Credit
HMRC and DWP Confirm Changes
The DWP and HMRC have confirmed that while claimants will receive their money earlier than usual, the payment amount remains unchanged. Similar changes to benefit payment dates take place for other national holidays and festive seasons, including Christmas.
Jobcentres and Office Closures
The DWP has also confirmed that Jobcentres, along with its offices and phone lines, will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Normal services will resume on Tuesday, April 22.
Benefits Uprating
This comes as all benefits received an uprating of 1.7 percent in April, matching the September 2024 inflation figure. The increase applies to all working-age benefits, including Universal Credit, PIP, DLA, attendance allowance, carer’s allowance, ESA, and more.
As GB News notes, Universal Credit is typically paid every four weeks, while state pension payment days usually correspond to the last two digits of your national insurance number.
In summary, claimants of certain benefits and state pension recipients should be aware of the changes to payment dates due to the Easter bank holiday weekend. Payments will be made early on Thursday, April 17, to ensure recipients receive their money on a day when DWP and HMRC offices are open.
