MILLIONS of households on Universal Credit and other state benefits will be wondering when to expect their payments this month.
There’s an extra day this month – February 29 – because this year is a leap year.
AlamyMillions of households will be wondering if their benefit payments will be affected[/caption]
Many will already be used to their payment dates changing because of bank holidays, for example but this change doesn’t come around very often.
With this in mind, you might be wondering how this will affect benefit payments.
If you’re benefits are normally paid into your bank account on 30 or 31 of the month then you’re going to get it earlier than usual this February.
You’ll be paid on the last working day of the month, which is Thursday, February 29, instead.
And as usual, if your payment date falls on a weekend, it will be sent to your account on the working day before.
If you get any of the following benefits, then you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared:
Carer’s Allowance
Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Pension Credit
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Child Benefit
Guardian’s Allowance
Universal Credit
If you receive a State Pension, you shouldn’t notice any change to your payments.
This is because your National Insurance number dictates what day you receive your pension money.
State pension is paid every four weeks and the day you’re paid usually depends on the last two digits of this identification number.
Will my benefit payment amount change?
The amount you get paid shouldn’t change.
It will be the same as previous months, unless you’ve had a change of circumstances that affects how much you get at the same time.
You don’t need to do anything if your usual date for getting your benefits is affected by the leap year.
Don’t forget that if you get paid early then you’ll have to make the money you get go further as you’ll have extra day to wait until your next payment date.
Make sure you factor this into your budget.
But February is always a shorter month than most, typically with 28 days, meaning that you won’t have to make your payments last so long.
If your money is not paid on time, then you should double check the date you get paid normally and contact your bank.
Failing that, you should contact the DWP.
You can also submit a complaint to the DWP over any unpaid benefits.
Millions of households nationwide can claim several cold weather payments to help with heating costs this winter.
Plus, thousands of people on Universal Credit could be missing out on extra £5,483 a year.
We share an easy move to help you get what you’re owed.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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