May brings a few bank holidays in the UK, and that can mean a shift in when your benefit payments arrive. Whether you receive Universal Credit, Child Benefit, or other support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HMRC, it’s important to know that your money might come earlier than expected this month.
Why Are Benefit Payments Arriving Early?
When a benefit payment is scheduled to fall on a bank holiday, it usually gets paid on the last working day before the holiday. Since Monday, May 26 is the Spring Bank Holiday, anyone expecting a payment on that day will receive it on Friday, May 23 instead.
This change is automatic. Your payment will arrive in your regular bank account, and the amount will be exactly the same as usual. There’s no need to worry—it’s simply an early payment to make sure you’re not left without funds during the long weekend.
Who Is Affected by This Change?
People claiming benefits from either the DWP or HMRC may be affected. This includes:
Universal Credit
Child Benefit
Carer’s Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Attendance Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Pension Credit
State Pension
Tax Credits
If your regular payment falls on May 26, expect to see it in your account on May 23 instead.
What You Should Know About Early Payments
Getting your money earlier than expected might seem like a bonus, but remember: your next payment date won’t change. That means you’ll need to make this one stretch a bit longer—potentially more than four weeks until the next cycle, depending on your benefit type.
For example, if you’re a single person over 25 on Universal Credit, your standard monthly payment of £400.14 will still arrive—just earlier. But your next payment will follow the usual monthly schedule.
What to Do If You Don’t Get Paid
If you were expecting a payment and it hasn’t come through, you should call the DWP helpline at 0800 328 5644. Keep in mind that the helpline is closed on bank holidays, so it’s best to call on the working day before or after the holiday.
Usual Payment Schedules for Popular Benefits
Here’s when most benefits are usually paid:
Attendance Allowance – every 4 weeks
Carer’s Allowance – weekly or every 4 weeks
Child Benefit – every 4 weeks
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – every 4 weeks
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) – every 2 weeks
Income Support – every 2 weeks
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) – every 2 weeks
Pension Credit – every 4 weeks
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – every 4 weeks
State Pension – every 4 weeks
Tax Credits – every 4 weeks or weekly
Universal Credit – monthly
Bank Holidays to Keep in Mind
If you’re budgeting or checking your payment schedule, it’s good to know the official bank holidays:
England and Wales:
May 5 – Early May Bank Holiday
May 26 – Spring Bank Holiday
August 25 – Summer Bank Holiday
Scotland also observes holidays like January 2 and St Andrew’s Day on December 1.
Northern Ireland includes March 17 (St Patrick’s Day) and July 14 (Battle of the Boyne).
Always double-check with your benefit statement or online account around these dates, especially in months like May and December when holidays are common.
If you receive any government support payments, it’s important to stay informed about how bank holidays can affect your schedule. With May 26 being a Spring Bank Holiday, many benefit claimants will see their payments land early—on May 23. While the amount stays the same, the time between payments will be longer than usual. Planning ahead can help you avoid running short. Always check your payment dates in advance and contact the DWP if anything seems off.
FAQs
Why has my benefit payment arrived early in May?
If your benefit payment was scheduled for Monday, May 26, it has arrived early—on Friday, May 23—because of the Spring Bank Holiday. The DWP and HMRC do not process payments on bank holidays, so they send them out on the last working day before.
Will my benefit amount change if it’s paid early?
No, your payment amount remains the same. Only the date of the payment changes to ensure you receive it before the bank holiday.
Which benefits are affected by May’s bank holiday?
Benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit, PIP, Carer’s Allowance, Tax Credits, and others from the DWP or HMRC may be paid early if the due date falls on May 26.
What should I do if I don’t receive my early benefit payment?
If your payment hasn’t arrived by May 23 and it was due on May 26, contact the DWP helpline at 0800 328 5644 on the next working day. The helpline is closed on bank holidays.
Will my future payment dates change after this?
No, only the May 26 payment is moved early due to the bank holiday. Your regular benefit schedule will resume from the next cycle.
