- Change to benefits payment date for millions of people will
help them with their financial planning and providing peace of
mind for those on low incomes.
- It comes ahead of the new school year, which will allow
families and carers to plan their spending with confidence,
knowing their support is already in place.
- This proactive measure demonstrates the Government's
commitment through its Plan for Change to raising living
standards, breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring
growth is felt by everyone, everywhere.
The early payment arrangement will apply to all major benefits
including Universal Credit, Child Benefit, State Pension,
Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer's
Allowance, and Disability Living Allowance, ensuring that
payments originally scheduled for the weekend of 23-25 August
reach recipients on time.
This proactive measure will provide financial certainty for
families as they prepare for the new school year, allowing
parents and carers to plan their spending with confidence knowing
their support is already in place during what can be an expensive
time for households.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir said:
We know how much families rely on these payments, and by bringing
them forward ahead of the bank holiday we're ensuring no one has
to worry about whether their support will be there when they need
it most.
This is especially important ahead of the new school year – no
family should have to choose between buying school supplies and
putting food on the table.
This is what our Plan for Change is all about - putting working
families and the most vulnerable first and ensuring every family
has the security they need to plan for the future.
The early payment policy ensures recipients receive their funds
before banks and government offices close for the holiday
weekend, maintaining the continuity of support that millions
depend upon.
This announcement comes as the Government continues to deliver on
its Plan for Change, breaking down barriers to opportunity and
raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom.
For the first time ever, the Universal Credit standard allowance
will permanently rise above inflation, delivering £725 by 2029/30
in cash terms for a single person aged 25 or over. This
represents the highest permanent real terms increase to the main
rate of out-of-work support since 1980, according to the
Institute for Fiscal Studies, and will benefit nearly four
million households.
These reforms will change the lives of people across the country
as part of the Government's mission-led approach to kickstart
economic growth. By putting more money into working people's
pockets and ensuring those seeking employment have the support
they need, these changes will drive productivity, prosperity and
higher living standards across the UK.
Additional Information:
- Benefit payments originally due on Saturday 23, Sunday 24,
and Monday 25 August 2025 will be paid early on Friday 22 August
2025.
- Applies across the entire United Kingdom (Scotland follows
the same principle despite different bank holiday arrangements).
- Affects multiple benefits: Universal Credit, Child Benefit,
State Pension, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance
Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Income
Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, and Pension Credit.
- Nearly 4 million households will see an annual income boost
estimated to be worth £725 cash as a Bill to overhaul the welfare
system completes the next stage of its passage through
Parliament. Please see: Millions of households
to be given income boost as Bill progresses through Parliament
- GOV.UK
