DWP August benefits changes as state pension and Universal Credit affected | Personal Finance | Finance

Everyone who gets Universal Credit or the state pension among several other benefits will be paid on a different date in August as part of changes announced by the DWP.

Various changes to benefits will be in place for August centred around payment dates.

August has a late bank holiday landing on Monday, August 26 which will affect benefits payments.

Those who would normally get their Universal Credit payment on Monday, August 26 will instead be paid three days early, on Friday, August 23.

This is to ensure that nobody misses payments because of the bank holiday, as banks would not be able to issue money or make payments until the Tuesday.

The government’s guidance says: “Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account.

“If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before. This may be different for tax credits and Child Benefit.”

But these benefits will be paid early in August: Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), State pension and Universal Credit.

You’ll need to contact the DWP directly if you don’t receive your benefits early as you should.

Otherwise, the new government has announced changes to Winter Fuel Allowance which means most pensioners will no longer get the £300-600 payment to help with energy bills this winter coming.

Instead, only those on Pension Credit, Universal Credit or one of four other benefits will qualify for the extra cash which was until now paid automatically.

People born after 1957 are being urged to apply for one of the six qualifying benefits now before this winter to ensure they keep their payments without interruption.