Claimants in the UK who are on Universal Credit and Child Benefits have been advised their payments dates will change in April. This is due to the Easter holidays.
People who are due to be paid on Friday, April 15, will now get their payments early. They will be received on April 14, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed
Anyone due to be paid on Monday, April 18 will also get their money on April 14. This change covers most benefits that are due to be received on a public holiday, Hull Live reports.
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Similar changes will be made in future bank holidays - more so than ever this year as we celebrate a bumper number of holiday days. The change will also happen over the May Bank Holiday and for the public holidays marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
For the May bank holiday, if your payment date lands on Monday, May 2, you can expect your cash on Friday, April 29. For the June dates on the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, you can expect to receive your cash on Wednesday, June 1 if your payment date falls on Thursday, June 2 or Friday, June 3.
Child benefit payment dates
Child Benefit pays £21.15 a week for the first child and £14.95 a week for subsequent children to qualifying parents. From April, it's rising to £21.80 per week and £14.45 per week for additional children.
If you're due to be paid on Friday, April 15, the DWP says you'll be paid on April 14, instead. Likewise, if you're due to be paid on Monday, April 18, you'll receive your payment on April, 14.
If your payment date falls on a normal day that's not a bank holiday, then you'll get your payment as normal. All payments are automatic - so you won't need to contact the DWP.
Tax credit payment dates are also changing
Tax-credits work as a separate system and is paid to families who need it most, such as those who need help to care for children, are disabled or have low incomes. There are two types of tax credit – child tax credit and working tax credit.
You might be eligible for one or both of them. However, this will depend on your circumstances.
Payment dates:
Due: Friday, April 15, 2022 - Paid: Thursday April 14, 2022
Due: Monday, April 18, 2022 - Paid: Thursday April 14, 2022
What about Universal Credit payments?
Depending on your ‘assessment period’ the date that you can expect to receive your Universal Credit will change around Easter. This period starts on the date when you first made a claim for the benefit, and you will then receive cash each calendar month afterwards.
But, because the Easter weekend provides millions of workers with two days off, the cash you are expecting to receive could change dates. If you’re expecting to get your money on Friday, April 15, or Monday, April 18, you can expect to have the cash in your bank account on Thursday, April 14.
Payment dates:
Due: Friday, April 15, 2022 - Paid: Thursday April 14, 2022
Due: Monday, April 18, 2022 - Paid: Thursday April 14, 2022
