The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that households receiving one of 11 major benefits, including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and state pension, will receive early payments due to the August Bank Holiday. Benefits normally scheduled for Monday, 31 August will instead arrive early on Friday, 28 August, according to the DWP.
Benefits affected by early payments
The DWP stated that the early payment applies to 'all major benefits', affecting 11 benefits overall. The full list includes: Universal Credit, State Pension, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, Employment Support Allowance, and the Industrial Injuries Compensation Scheme.
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, commented: "We're pleased to confirm that benefit payments due on the August bank holiday will be paid earlier. This will help ensure families and older people receive their money without disruption over the bank holiday period."
Support for families and older people
He added: "This Government is determined to ensure people up and down the country have the support and breathing room they need, which is why we've acted to take money off energy bills, increase the National Minimum Wage and lift half a million children out of poverty, as well as supporting people into good, secure jobs."
The DWP also confirmed that these early payments will apply throughout the entire UK, including Scotland, despite Scotland observing different Bank Holidays, as reported by the Express.
Financial certainty for the new school year
The DWP stated: "This will provide financial certainty for families as they prepare for the new school year, allowing parents and carers to plan their spending with confidence, particularly at a time when the cost of living is high. It comes as the Prime Minister is delivering on his pledge to give families breathing space with a raft of announcements to tackle the cost of living including capping bus fares at £2, cutting tax on household energy bills and ending subscription traps with new 'easy to exit' rules."
