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People claiming the State Pension and Universal Credit are set to receive payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) early this week.
The change in payment date is due to a second May bank holiday this month, which falls on Monday (May 26). The bank holiday means the DWP will issue benefits, including Universal Credit, and the State Pension earlier than normal. When a payment date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, the DWP normally sends payments one working day before.
As May ends with a bank holiday, it means that pensioners and Universal Credit claimants who are expecting a payment on Monday, will instead receive it three days early tomorrow (May 23), as this is the last working day before the bank holiday.
Pensioners can determine their usual State Pension payment day by looking for the two-digit code at the end of their National Insurance number, as this specifies the date on which payments are normally issued. This is how National Insurance numbers correspond to payment days:
- 00 to 19 – paid on Monday
- 20 to 39 – paid on Tuesday
- 40 to 59 – paid on Wednesday
- 60 to 79 – paid on Thursday
- 80 to 99 – paid on Friday
If your National Insurance number ends in 00 to 19 it means your usual payment normally falls on a Monday, meaning it may correspond with the upcoming May bank holiday date. If this is the case, you will be paid earlier than normal on the earliest working day before – which is this Friday.
The DWP says the State Pension is usually paid every four weeks, while Universal Credit is paid every month, and the money will be paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account.
If your State Pension or Universal Credit payment date is changing this month because of the bank holiday you don’t need to do anything as your money will be paid straight into your usual account.
The DWP said: “Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before.”
