THERE are two bank holidays in May which could affect the day that you receive your benefits or Universal Credit payment.
While workers will enjoy two extra days of paid leave, those who rely on welfare payments may be worried about how to manage their households budgets when the banks are closed.
And to make matters slightly more confusing, the government moved the early May bank holiday from a Monday to a Friday.
Instead of being held on May 4, it will take place on Friday 8 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
The day has only been moved once before, in 1995, to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day.
The second spring bank holiday falls on Monday May 25.
Here's how the extra days off work will affect your benefit payments:
Will my benefits be affect by the May bank holidays?
Households who are expecting to be paid their child or working tax credits on Friday May 8 will instead receive them on Thursday May 7.
Those who would expect the payments to land in their accounts on Monday May 25 will actually be paid on the last working day before the bank holiday.
How to contact the DWP for help
WHAT number you call depends on what type of benefit you need help with.
Universal Credit:
- Call for free: 0800 328 9344
- Welsh speaking: 0800 012 1888
- Those with hearing problems can textphone on: 0800 328 1344
Lines are open from 8am until 6pm, Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.
Child benefit:
- Call for free: 0300 200 3100
- Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086
You'll need your National Insurance number or child benefit number with you when you call.
Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am until 8pm and on Saturdays from 8amm until 4pm.
Tax credits:
- Call HMRC for free: 0345 300 3900
- From outside the UK: +44 2890 538 192
Lines open from 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am until 4pm on Saturday.
The helpline isn't open on bank holidays.
Other benefits:
- Call for free: 0800 328 9344
- Welsh speaking: 0800 328 1744
- Textphone: 0800 169 0314
Lines open 8am until 6pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.
In this instance, you will be paid your tax credits on Friday May 22.
The same applies to Universal Credit payments, which are normally paid on the same day every month.
If you're normally paid on the 8th or 25th of the month then you should also receive your money early.
Friday May 8 payment will be transferred to your account on Thursday May 7, while those that would normally be paid on Monday May 25 will actually receive the payout Friday May 22.
All other benefit payments will also follow the same changes, including PIP and ESA.
Will the amount I'm paid change?
You will receive the same amount of benefits that you normally do, even if you're paid early.
The DWP says that you don't need to do anything in order to be paid early.
Remember though, being paid earlier than normal means that you'll need to make it stretch an extra day.
Make sure you take this into account when working out your household budgets.
What if my payment is delayed?
If your payment is not paid on time then you should double check the date on your award notice and contact your bank before calling HMRC.
Almost 1 million Brits applied for Universal Credit in a two-week period due to coronavirus – up from the usual 100,000.
But it’s meant huge delays trying to sign up for the benefit both online and over the phone
The government has confirmed that debt payments on benefits will be paused during the coronavirus crisis, giving a boost to millions on benefits.
If something's not right, you can also submit a complaint to the DWP.
What other bank holidays could affect my benefit payments?
There are a number of bank holidays throughout the year, with the next one being held in August.
Here is a list of the rest for 2020:
- July 13 – payment on July 10 (Northern Ireland only)
- August 3 – payment on July 31 (Scotland only)
- August 31 – payment on August 28
- December 25 – payment on December 24
- December 28 – payment on December 24
- December 29 – payment on December 24 (Northern Ireland only)
- January 1, 2021 – payment on December 31
- January 4, 2021 – payment on December 31 (Scotland only)
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