DWP and HMRC payment dates for every benefit and tax credit in 2024

Last year, the government paid out more than £230bn in benefits and tax credits to people across the UK, benefits which support everyone in need from the very old to young families - but the system through which they are paid is rarely clear.

Some benefits are paid out on a weekly basis, others every two weeks and, to add to the confusion, some are paid out every four weeks OR every month - which can make it hard to keep track of your personal finances.

Benefits are usually paid directly into your bank account by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), but this payment can be changed if it lands on a weekend or a bank holiday, and could be brought forward, which only makes knowing exactly when you will receive your money more complicated.

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Many of these benefits have been rolled into Universal Credit, which is paid monthly, rather than every four weeks. This means that Universal Credit claimants receive 12 payments per year, while those claiming legacy benefits that are paid every four weeks receive 13 payments.

Most benefits are administered by the DWP. The exception to this are tax credits, which are given out by HM Revenue and Customs.

If your payment date lands on a bank holiday, this is when you will receive your money: