May Bank Holiday DWP payment dates brought forward for 12 benefits

There are two bank holidays this month, meaning that most Brits will get to enjoy two three-day weekends. But it also means that thousands of benefit claimants will have their payment dates changed.

To avoid people having to make their money stretch further over the long weekend, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) brings forward the payment by three days for anyone whose payment would land on the bank holiday. Not every claimant will be affected by the DWP bringing forward their payment, as Universal Credit is paid out on different days for everyone.

The payment date is typically set seven days after you are first assessed for benefits, with 12 benefits alongside Universal Credit all affected by the date change. This month's first bank holiday is next week on Monday, May 6, so any benefits due to be paid on this date will instead be paid on Friday, May 3.

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The second May bank holiday falls toward the end of the month on Monday, May 27. So any benefits due to be paid on this date will be brought forward to Friday, May 24.

Later in the year, payments will be brought forward for the August bank holiday, from August 26 to 23; and for Christmas, with payments on December 24 and 25 brought forward to December 23.

Universal Credit is the main benefit affected by the payment date change, with 6.4 million claimants. However, other government benefits, including legacy benefits and tax credit, will be affected.

They are:

If your payments are brought forward, the amount you are paid will not change. However, before the temptations of a three-day weekend, it is worth remembering that you may have to make the payment last for