**DWP Confirms Adjusted Benefit and Pension Payment Dates for May Bank Holidays**
As the month of May approaches, many benefit recipients across the UK are preparing for changes to their usual payment schedules due to the two upcoming bank holidays. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), together with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), has issued a statement outlining when people can expect to receive their payments, ensuring claimants are aware of any alterations caused by the Early May Bank Holiday and the Spring Bank Holiday.
Bank holidays often result in early payments for various benefits, as government departments cease processing on these days. In May 2025, the first disruption will occur on Monday, 5 May, aligning with the Early May Bank Holiday. For recipients whose payment was originally due on that date, the DWP has confirmed that payments will instead be transferred on Friday, 2 May. This measure is consistent with the department’s policy of moving payments to the preceding working day when bank holidays coincide with scheduled payment dates.
The second significant date in May is the Spring Bank Holiday, falling on Monday, 26 May. As with the first bank holiday, claimants expecting a payment on that Monday should note they will actually receive their funds earlier, on Friday, 23 May. The DWP emphasises that whilst the date changes, the amount deposited into individuals’ bank accounts will remain unchanged.
It is important for recipients to prepare for a longer period between payments as a result of this adjustment. Anyone used to receiving payments on the Monday following a bank holiday will need to budget for a slightly extended interval between disbursements. This can be particularly important for people who rely on benefits as their primary source of income.
Should any issues arise—such as a payment not appearing in the account on the expected date—recipients are advised to contact the DWP helpline at 0800 328 5644. It’s worth noting, however, that this helpline is closed on bank holiday dates themselves, so individuals are encouraged to reach out either the working day before, or after, a bank holiday if support is required.
Benefit payment frequencies vary depending on the type of benefit. For instance, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance (if paid four-weekly), Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Pension Credit, and State Pension are all generally paid every four weeks. Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, and Jobseeker’s Allowance typically follow a two-week cycle. Universal Credit is issued monthly, and tax credits may be received every four weeks or, in some cases, weekly.
Being aware of this cycle is particularly pertinent around bank holidays, as not all recipients’ schedules will be affected—only those who would otherwise have been paid on the bank holiday itself. Those who are accustomed to payments on other days will remain on their usual timetables.
The UK’s bank holiday schedule for the remainder of 2025 is as follows: New Year’s Day (1 January), Good Friday (18 April), Easter Monday (21 April), Early May bank holiday (5 May), Spring bank holiday (26 May), Summer bank holiday (25 August), Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December). Each presents potential for change to standard benefit payments, so it’s advisable to check ahead each time.
Those claiming benefits are encouraged to make a note of these key dates and plan in advance to ensure their finances are properly managed over the bank holiday periods. More information can be found on relevant government websites, or by calling the DWP’s support lines during normal working hours.
As always, the DWP stresses the importance of vigilance and planning, particularly during times of disruption such as bank holidays, so claimants are not caught off guard by early payments and are able to manage their finances effectively.