Bank holiday universal credit payment dates: When benefits and other DWP support will be paid in May

May 26, 2023 4:01 pm
(Updated
6:12 pm
)
The spring bank holiday is coming up on Monday 29 May. Monday is the third bank holiday of the month, coming in addition to the early May bank holiday at the start of the month, and the bonus day off for the Kings coronation.
Those who receive benefits, including universal credit, sometimes see their payment dates change around bank holidays, as payments are made when DWP and HMRC offices are open.
May 2023 universal credit payment dates
If you are due to receive a universal credit on a date that falls on a bank holiday, you should be paid on the working day before that date.
That means if you would normally get a payment on Monday 29 May, you will instead receive it on Friday 26 May.
The early payment can be a welcome boost, but also means a longer gap until your next instalment, which can affect peoples budgeting plans.
The adjusted dates also affects the following HMRC benefits:
Attendance allowance
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For example, Scotlands summer bank holiday falls at the start of August, rather than the end of the month. All four nations used to mark the same date, following the implementation of the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, introduced by the Liberal politician, Sir John Lubbock.
However, the date for England, Wales and Northern Ireland moved permanently to the end of August in 1971, following a trial period which started in 1965.
England and Wales bank holidays 2023
Monday 29 May spring bank holiday
Monday 28 August summer bank holiday
Monday 25 December Christmas Day
Tuesday 26 December Boxing Day
Scotland bank holidays 2023