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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Levi Winchester

Why some people are getting unexpected benefit payments today including Universal Credit

Some benefit claimants including Universal Credit households are receiving their payments earlier than expected today.

The long Easter weekend means there are two bank holiday dates coming up.

Tomorrow (April 7) is Good Friday and then there is Easter Monday (April 10).

If you were due to receive a benefit normally on these calendar days, then it is likely you would have been paid today instead.

Being paid earlier may seem like a good thing, but it means you will need to make your money last longer.

This is because there will be a longer wait until your next payment.

If you're due to be paid on a different day, you won't need to do anything - the money will be paid into your account as normal.

The amount you're due to be paid will also remain the same.

When are benefits normally paid?

How often you get paid your benefit depends on what type of support you claim.

For example, you’ll get paid Universal Credit on the same day each month, while Tax Credits are typically paid every four weeks or weekly.

Child Benefit is usually every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday - so you'd only be affected by one of the bank holiday days over Easter.

See the full list of how often certain benefits are paid below:

  • Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks

  • Carer’s Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks

  • Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks, or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits

  • Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks

  • Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks

  • Income Support - Usually every two weeks

  • Jobseeker’s Allowance - Usually every two weeks

  • Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks

  • Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks

  • State Pension - Usually every four weeks

  • Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly

  • Universal Credit - Every month

What if I don't get paid?

If you don't get your benefit payment when you expected to, first check double-check the date on your award notice and your bank account.

If you've got the right date, and the money isn't there, you should contact the relevant helpline.

Do keep in mind these are unlikely to be open on bank holidays.

Universal Credit:

  • Call for free: 0800 328 9344

  • Welsh speaking: 0800 012 1888

  • Textphone: 0800 328 1344

Child benefit:

  • Call for free: 0300 200 3100

  • Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086

Tax credits:

  • Call for free: 0345 300 3900

  • From outside the UK: +44 2890 538 192

Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance:

  • Call for free: 0800 169 0310

  • Textphone: 0800 169 0314

  • Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310

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