Benefit claimants have been warned that their payments might be delayed today following the bank holiday.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said some payments will arrive throughout the day they are due, instead of overnight.
The delay is affecting benefits due today (September 21) and yesterday (September 20).
The DWP has said the issue was down to the bank holiday for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
People who were due benefits on the day of the funeral (September 19) received their payments the previous working day (September 16).
Angry households who’ve yet to receive their benefits have taken to Twitter to complain to the DWP.
One person said: “So what am I supposed to do now that my bank is overdrawn? I need to send my son £12 for his bus pass to get to school this morning. I am hugely stressed.”
Another tweeted: “Checked bank at half two this morning nothing had gone in, felt sick to my stomach, woke up for school run still no money.”
A third said: “Woke up five times during the night to check my bank account and nothing so stressed and angry this is really bad.”
A fourth replied: “This is ridiculous. Why not send a text out and let people know! Instead people are sat worrying thinking they have had their benefits stopped!”
In a tweet published last week, the DWP said: “People due payments on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 September will be paid throughout the day of their expected payment date.
“No one needs to call us to check. We advise people check their accounts later in the day.”
It isn’t clear what benefits are being affected in particular, but the payments issued by the DWP include:
- Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Pension Credit
Personal Independence payment
State Pension
Universal Credit
Child Benefit
Guardian’s Allowance
Working Tax Credits
Child Tax Credits
If your payment does not arrive later in the day, you can contact Jobcentre Plus for an explanation:
- Telephone: 0800 169 0310
- Textphone: 0800 169 0314
- Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310
- British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
- For Universal Credit, you can contact Jobcentre Plus by signing in to your online account – you’ll get a reply Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
