The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that all state benefit and welfare payment schedules will revert to their standard timetables in February. This confirmation, provided to Birmingham Live, follows a temporary adjustment to payment dates in January due to the New Year bank holidays.
End of January's Payment Shake-Up
In the first month of the year, payment dates for millions of claimants were altered because of the bank holidays on January 1 across the UK and an additional day off in Scotland on January 2. This annual shift often leads to earlier payments to ensure people receive their funds ahead of the non-working days.
However, with no bank holidays in February, the DWP, along with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), has confirmed that there will be no such changes. All payments administered by these departments, as well as those under the remit of the Labour Party, will land in accounts on their standard scheduled days.
Full List of Benefits Returning to Normal
The return to the regular payment calendar applies to a wide range of financial support schemes. Claimants of the following 14 key benefits and payments can expect their money on the usual date:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
For specific details on individual payment dates, the government advises people to check the official guidance on its website.
How State Pension Payment Days Are Determined
The State Pension, paid directly into a bank account like other benefits, is typically paid every four weeks. The specific day of the week a person receives it is linked to the last two digits of their National Insurance (NI) number.
The schedule works as follows:
- NI number ending 00 to 19: Payment on a Monday.
- NI number ending 20 to 39: Payment on a Tuesday.
- NI number ending 40 to 59: Payment on a Wednesday.
- NI number ending 60 to 79: Payment on a Thursday.
- NI number ending 80 to 99: Payment on a Friday.
This return to the normal payment rhythm in February provides certainty for household budgeting after the festive period and the adjusted January schedule.
