Benefits and Tax Credits payment dates will vary because of the upcoming public holidays in May – here’s what you can expect:
Universal Credit is a monthly welfare payment that replaces six other benefits and is paid once a month, usually on the same date.
Those applying for Universal Credit must wait five weeks for their first payment, consisting of a one-month assessment period in which their circumstances and income are checked, and then another seven days for the money to reach their account.
If your first payment was received on April 8, you would normally receive subsequent amounts on the 8th of every month after that – but pay dates vary if they would end up falling on a weekend or bank holiday.
So your payments of Universal Credit and other benefits will vary because of the May bank holidays getting in the way of regular dates.
Universal Credit – May Bank Holiday payment dates
Universal credit is paid every four weeks on the same date. It will also vary slightly over the two bank holidays of May.
Your normal pay date is determined by when your first payment arrives – but it will be moved in any month where your pay date happens to fall on a weekend or bank holiday.
Early May Bank Holiday Weekend
Due: Friday, May 8 (May Day Bank Holiday/Early May Bank Holiday)
Paid: Thursday, May 7
Due: Saturday, May 9
Paid: Thursday, May 7
Due: Sunday, May 10
Paid: Thursday, May 7
Late May Bank Holiday Weekend
Due: Saturday, May 23
Paid: Friday, May 22
Due: Sunday, May 24
Paid: Friday, May 22
Due: Monday, May 25 (Spring Bank Holiday/Late May Bank Holiday)
Paid: Friday, May 22
PIP – May Bank Holiday payment dates
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is usually paid every four weeks.
Your original decision letter tells you the date of your first payment and what day of the week you’ll usually be paid. It would never be arranged to fall on a weekend.
But if your payment date is on a bank holiday, you will usually be paid before the bank holiday. After that you’ll continue to get paid as normal.
Early May Bank Holiday
Due: Friday, May 8
Paid: Thursday, May 7
Late May Bank Holiday Weekend
Due: Monday, May 25
Paid: Friday, May 22.
Child Benefit – May Bank Holiday payment dates:
Child benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday (you can get it paid weekly if you’re a single parent or if one of you is claiming other benefits) so it would not be paid on a weekend anyway.
Early May Bank Holiday Weekend
Due: Friday, May 8 (May Day Bank Holiday/Early May Bank Holiday)
Paid: Thursday, May 7
Late May Bank Holiday Weekend
Due: Monday, May 25 (Spring Bank Holiday/Late May Bank Holiday)
Paid: Friday, May 22
Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit – May Bank Holiday payment dates:
Tax credits such as Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit are paid every week or every four weeks. They aren’t arranged to fall on a weekend.
Early May Bank Holiday Weekend
Due: Friday, May 8 (May Day Bank Holiday/Early May Bank Holiday)
Paid: Thursday, May 7
Late May Bank Holiday Weekend
Due: Monday, May 25 (Spring Bank Holiday/Late May Bank Holiday)
Paid: Friday, May 22
Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) – May Bank Holiday payment dates:
These are both usually paid every two weeks. Dates would never fall on a weekend.
Early May Bank Holiday Weekend
Due: Friday, May 8 (May Day Bank Holiday/Early May Bank Holiday)
Paid: Thursday, May 7
Late May Bank Holiday Weekend
Due: Monday, May 25 (Spring Bank Holiday/Late May Bank Holiday)
Paid: Friday, May 22
When does the money go in?
Depending on your bank, funds are available sometime after midnight on the day they are due, usually in the early hours.
Some banks deposit money into your account around 11.30pm so you can withdraw it before midnight on benefit payday. Others will release your funds at midnight or just a few minutes after that.
But in some cases you have to wait until 2am to 3am and others will not let you touch your money until at least 6am on payday.
Granton Information Centre’s office is currently closed to the public due to coronavirus restrictions, but the team is still working. If you need support or advice, telephone 0131 551 2459 or 0131 552 0458.
You can also email info@gic.org.uk and a member of staff will get back to you.