Due to upcoming bank holidays, many benefit payments will be issued earlier than usual by the Department for Work and Pensions. This change ensures that claimants have access to funds when services are unavailable.
Payments due on Monday, May 4, 2026, will be issued on Friday, May 1. Similarly, payments scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026, will arrive on Friday, May 22.
The affected payments include State Pension, Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Child Benefits, Adult Disability Payment (ADP), and Attendance Allowance. DWP offices and phone lines will be closed over the bank holiday.
Payments will not follow the usual schedule on these dates because both banks and DWP offices are closed. This adjustment aims to alleviate any financial stress for claimants during the holidays.
Key payment dates:
Payments due on Monday, May 4 will be issued on Friday, May 1. and Payments scheduled for Monday, May 25 will arrive on Friday, May 22.
The Early May Bank Holiday has been traditionally held in the UK on the first Monday of the month since 1978. The Spring Bank Holiday has been observed nationwide on the last Monday in May since 1971.
Officials have not confirmed if there will be any further changes or additional support measures in place for claimants during this period. The full state pension rose to £241.30 a week from April 6, 2026.
