The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have confirmed changes to benefits, tax credits and the state pension due to the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend.
Specifically, said changes are set to impact payment dates with claimants of certain benefits set to get paid earlier than expected ahead of the holiday.
Benefit payments, including Universal Credit and PIP, that would normally be due on Good Friday (April 18) or Easter Monday (April 21) will be paid early on Thursday, April 17.
A DWP spokesperson confirmed: "To make sure people get their payment on a day when our offices are open, arrangements have been made to make some payments early."
Britons are being warned that state pension payment dates will change due to the Easter holiday
GETTYHowever, any claimants whose regular payment dates fall outside the bank holidays will receive their money as usual in their bank or building society account.
This year, Easter Sunday falls on April 20 this year, which means both Good Friday on April 18 and Easter Monday on April 21 are bank holidays.
Due to the holiday, these benefits or pension payments normally scheduled for these dates will now be processed on Thursday, April 17 instead.
This early payment arrangement ensures recipients do not have to wait until after the holiday weekend to receive their money. The change affects payments from both the DWP and HMRC.
HMRC tax credit dates are changing
GETTYThe change affects payments from both the DWP and HMRC. DWP and HMRC support claimants should note that while they'll receive their money earlier than usual, the payment amount remains unchanged.
Similar changes to benefit payment dates take place for other national holidays and festive seasons, including Christmas. These changes will affect a total of 12 benefits and payments administered by both departments.
Here is a full list of the the HMRC payments impacted by the Easter holiday date change:
- Guardian's Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Tax credits, including Working Tax Credit.
Here is a full list of the DWP payments impacted by the Easter holiday date change:
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer's Allowance
- Pension Credit
- State pension
- Income Support.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Universal Credit payments are changing
GETTYUniversal Credit is typically paid every four weeks, while state pension payment days usually correspond to the last two digits of your national insurance number.
The DWP has also confirmed that Jobcentres, along with its offices and phone lines, will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Normal services will resume on Tuesday, April 22. This comes as all benefits received an uprating of 1.7 percent in April, matching the September 2024 inflation figure.
The increase applies to all working-age benefits, including Universal Credit, PIP, DLA, attendance allowance, carer's allowance, ESA and more.
