Exact date benefits will be paid EARLY this month, including Universal Credit
MILLIONS of households on Universal Credit and other state benefits will be wondering when they can expect their payments this month.
There is an extra day this month – February 29 – because this year is a leap year.
Many will already be used to their payment dates changing due to public holidays, for example, but this change does not happen that often.
With this in mind, you may be wondering how this will impact benefits.
If your benefit is normally paid into your bank account on the 30th or 31st of the month, you will receive it earlier than normal in February.
You will be paid on the last working day of the month, namely Thursday, February 29.
And if your payment date falls on a weekend, it will be deposited into your account the working day before, as usual.
If you get any of the following benefits, make sure you're prepared:
- Attendance allowance
- Healthcare allowance
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Pension credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- AOW
- Universal credit
- Working tax credit
- Child tax credit
- Child benefits
- Guardian allowance
- Universal credit
If you receive a state pension, you will not notice any change in your payments.
Your Citizen Service Number determines on which day you receive your pension money.
The state pension is paid every four weeks. The day on which you are paid usually depends on the last two digits of this identification number.
Will the amount of my benefit change?
The amount you get paid should not change.
It will be the same as previous months unless there is a change of circumstances that affects how much you get at a time.
You don't need to do anything if your usual date for receiving your benefit is affected by the leap year.
Remember, if you get paid early, you'll have to continue earning the money you get because you'll have an extra day to wait until your next payment date.
Make sure you factor this into your budget.
But February is always a shorter month than most months, usually at 28 days, meaning you won't have to make your payments for as long.
If your money is not paid on time, check the date you normally get paid and contact your bank.
If this is not the case, you should contact the DWP.
You can also complain to the DWP about unpaid benefits.
Millions of households across the country can claim a range of cold weather payments to help with heating costs this winter.
In addition, thousands of people on Universal Credit could be missing out on an extra £5,483 a year.
We share a simple move to help you get what you deserve.
Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.
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