The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has officially announced that all Jobcentre Plus offices and helplines across England, Wales, and Scotland will remain closed on the upcoming bank holiday. As a result, any benefit payments scheduled for Monday, August 25, will now be released early on Friday, August 22.
This proactive adjustment is meant to ensure that recipients receive their money on a business day when offices and support services are accessible.
Why Are Payments Being Rescheduled?
According to the DWP, early payment arrangements have been implemented to prevent delays caused by the office closure. This change not only applies to DWP-managed benefits but also to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Social Security Scotland, which have both confirmed a similar rescheduling for their respective payments.
Although the August 25 bank holiday isn’t officially recognized in all parts of Scotland, the shift still impacts most benefits and services nationwide.
Who Will Be Affected?
The payment date change affects those receiving various government benefits that are scheduled for August 25. If your benefit does not fall on the holiday, you will still receive it as normal.
DWP Benefits Affected
The DWP has listed the following benefits to be issued early on Friday, August 22:
- State Pension
- Universal Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Pension Credit
HMRC Payments Affected
HMRC has also shifted the date for benefit deposits due on August 25 to Friday, August 22. These include:
- Child Benefit
- Guardian’s Allowance
Social Security Scotland Payments Affected
The same early payment schedule applies to benefits managed by Social Security Scotland:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Carer Support Payment
- Scottish Child Payment
- Pension Age Disability Payment
Note: Best Start Foods payments will not be impacted and will be processed as scheduled.
New Payment Date for Affected Benefits
| Department | Affected Benefits | New Payment Date |
|---|---|---|
| DWP | State Pension, UC, PIP, ESA, JSA, Income Support, Carer’s Allowance, etc. | Friday, Aug 22 |
| HMRC | Child Benefit, Guardian’s Allowance | Friday, Aug 22 |
| Social Security Scotland | ADP, CDP, SCP, Carer Support, Pension Age Disability Payment | Friday, Aug 22 |
For millions of claimants across the UK, this early payment shift provides a welcome sense of financial security ahead of the August 25 bank holiday. If you’re expecting a payment on that Monday, you should now plan to receive it on Friday, August 22.
Make sure to check your bank account and be aware that normal schedules will resume after the holiday. If your payment date isn’t on the holiday, you will not be affected by this adjustment.
FAQs
What if I don’t receive my payment on August 22?
If your scheduled benefit falls on August 25 and you don’t see it deposited by August 22, contact the appropriate agency (DWP, HMRC, or Social Security Scotland) once offices reopen.
Will this affect future payments after August?
No, this is a one-time adjustment specifically due to the August 25 bank holiday. Subsequent payments will follow the normal schedule.
Is this applicable across the entire UK?
Yes, even though the bank holiday is not observed uniformly in Scotland, the payment date change applies across England, Wales, and Scotland for most benefits.