Universal Credit and benefit payment dates set to change in May and June

Payment dates for UNIVERSAL credit and other benefits will change in May and June.

There are three upcoming holidays in the next two months, which affect when claimants will receive their money.

Your usual payment date depends on the date you first applied for Universal Credit and the date your application was approved – there’s no set day for everyone.

Most people receive their first payment seven days after their initial trial period ends.

If this date falls on a public holiday, you will receive the money the previous working day.

This means you won’t have to wait for money over the long weekend.

We tell you how the upcoming holidays will affect your benefit payments in May and June.

When will I receive my Universal Credit and other benefits?

This year, the next three public holidays are May 2, June 2 and June 3.

Households that usually receive their payments on these dates will receive their money a little earlier than usual.

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed it will be transferred the previous working day.

If you are usually paid on the 2nd of the month, you will receive your May benefits on April 29, as this is the last working day before the holiday.

Claimants who would expect to be paid on June 2 or 3 will instead receive their money on June 1.

Universal Credit applicants can access many additional supports in addition to their payments.

Thousands of low-income households can access emergency cash grants to pay their bills.