As banks are shut over bank holidays, benefits will be processed differently over this period. Those on universal credit will receive their benefits at a slightly different date than expected this month.
The upcoming bank holidays – Friday 7 April (Good Friday) and Monday 10 April (Easter Monday) – will influence payment dates.
Here’s everything you need to know…
When will I receive my universal credit?
If you get your benefits – including universal credit, child tax credits, working tax credits, child benefit, employment support allowance (ESA), personal independence payments (PIP), jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), carer’s allowance, attendance allowance and pension credits – between 7-10 April, then you should get your payments early.
Which upcoming bank holidays could affect my benefits payments?
The next bank holiday after Easter will be May Day, which is on Monday 1 May.
Here is the full list of bank holidays for 2023:
England and Wales bank holidays 2023
- Friday 7 April – Good Friday
- Monday 10 April – Easter Monday
- Monday 1 May – Early May bank holiday
- Monday 8 May – Bank holiday for the coronation of King Charles III
- 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
- Friday 7 April – Good Friday
- Monday 1 May – Early May bank holiday
- Monday 8 May – Bank holiday for the coronation of King Charles III
- Monday 29 May – Spring bank holiday
- Monday 7 August – Summer bank holiday
- Thursday 30 November – St Andrew’s Day
- Monday 25 December – Christmas Day
- Tuesday 26 December – Boxing Day
Northern Ireland bank holidays 2023
- Friday 17 March – St Patrick’s Day
- Friday 7 April – Good Friday
- Monday 10 April – Easter Monday
- Monday 1 May – Early May bank holiday
- Monday 8 May – Bank holiday for the coronation of King Charles III
- Monday 29 May – Spring bank holiday
- Wednesday 12 July – Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day)
- Monday 28 August – Summer bank holiday
- Monday 25 December – Christmas Day
- Tuesday 26 December – Boxing Day
How much are benefit rates going up?
Universal credit will rise by 3.1 per cent in April, as announced by the DWP last year, along with other benefits and tax credits, including the state pension.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation is used to set the increase – however the calculation is based on what CPI was in September 2021.
The increases are as follows:
- Single, aged under 25: standard allowance up from £257.33 to £265.31
- Single, 25 or over: standard allowance up from £324.84 to £334.91
- Couple, both under 25: standard allowance up from £403.93 to £416.45
- Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: standard allowance up from £509.91 to £525.72
- People with first child born before 6 April 2017: extra amount up from £282.50 to £290
- People with child born on or after 6 April 2017, or second child and subsequent child: extra amount up from £237.08 to £244.58
- People with disabled child: lower-rate addition payment up from £128.89 to £132.89; higher rate up from £402.41 to £414.88
- Person with limited capability to work: extra amount up from £128.89 to £132.89
- Person with a limited capability for work or work-related activity: extra amount up from £343.63 to £354.28
- Carer for someone severely disabled, at least 35 hours a week: up from £163.73 to £168.81.
