The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending state pensioners a surprise payment of £921 this Friday morning. The DWP has increased the full new state pension to £921 for a four-week pay period, and payments are arriving early on May 1 due to the upcoming May Day Bank Holiday on Monday, May 4, 2026. The Spring Bank Holiday follows on May 25.
Payment Schedule Changes
The Labour government and DWP are reminding claimants to check their payment dates to avoid being caught off guard by early deposits over the long weekends. The Basic State Pension will also rise and be paid early, depending on National Insurance numbers. Payments due on Monday, May 4 (including pensions, Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit, and other DWP support) will instead arrive on Friday, May 1. Similarly, payments due on Monday, May 25, will be made on Friday, May 22.
National Insurance Number Payment Days
Payment days correspond to the last two digits of National Insurance numbers:
- 00 to 19: Paid on Monday
- 20 to 39: Paid on Tuesday
- 40 to 59: Paid on Wednesday
- 60 to 79: Paid on Thursday
- 80 to 99: Paid on Friday
Upcoming Bank Holidays in 2026
England and Wales have eight bank holidays, Scotland has nine, and Northern Ireland has ten. The full list for 2026 includes:
- January 1 (New Year's Day)
- January 2 (Scotland only)
- March 17 (St Patrick's Day, Northern Ireland only)
- April 3 (Good Friday)
- April 6 (Easter Monday, England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)
- May 4
- May 25
- July 13 (Battle of the Boyne, Northern Ireland only)
- August 3 (Scotland only)
- August 31 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)
- November 30 (St Andrew's Day, Scotland only)
- December 25 (Christmas Day)
- December 28 (substitute day for Boxing Day)
