I’m a benefits expert – the key dates that could change or stop your Universal Credit and other benefit payments
PEOPLE who receive benefits could see their payment dates impacted by bank holidays.
And some benefit payments could be stopped altogether if they aren’t renewed in time.
There are three bank holidays in May and June this year – one more than usual because of the King’s Coronation.
Many workers will appreciate the extra time off work but the breaks can play havoc with payments.
If you rely on benefit payments to manage your monthly budget, it’s important to take note of the key dates that could hit your finances.
We spoke to benefits expert Lee Healey, founder of money advice service IncomeMax, to help you keep on top of key dates that could affect your Universal Credit and benefits.
Bank holidays
Thousands of people will have had benefits paid early this month due to the bank holiday falling on May 1.
Lee said: “Bank holidays could mean that your benefits are paid early.
“If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before.
“The late May bank holiday coming up means if you are due to have your benefit paid on May 29, it will be paid on May 26 instead.
“Payments due on the summer bank holiday on August 28 will be made by August 25.
“And for those planning Christmas 2023, payments due on December 25, 26 and 27 will be paid by December 22.”
When you get benefits early, it can mean that cash then has to stretch a little further than usual.
It is worth sitting down and factoring that into budgets.
New UC rates could not be received until June
The Government increased the rate of a number of benefits by 10.1% in April in line with inflation.
However, some people will be disappointed to learn they could have to wait until June to get these new higher payments.
This is because Universal Credit is paid monthly and based on your circumstances each month. This is known as your “assessment period”.
Lee said: “New payment rates for people on Universal Credit will start to be received from May 17.
“But if someone’s assessment period started after the new rates came in, it could take until June 16 to get their first payment on the new amounts.”
Tax credits payments could stop
If you receive working and child tax credits they must be renewed.
If you fail to do so the payments worth thousands of pounds a year could be stopped.
Each year the deadline for renewal is July 31. You can renew online, by post or phone.
Lee said: “It’s really important to renew your tax credits.
“You should already have received your renewal pack – if you haven’t, get in touch with HMRC and ask for one.
“Most people need to renew by July 31 but if it asks you to reply immediately, you must do so.”
Child benefit check
Parents and carers with children aged 16 need to let the government know if they are continuing in full-time education.
You need to tell the government know before August 31 or child benefit payments will stop.
Extra payments for Scottish parents
If you are living in Scotland have a child born between March 1, 2018 and February 28, 2019, you might be able to get a School Age Payment of £294.70.
Applications open June 1, 2023 and you will need to apply by end of February next year.
Families in Scotland on free school meals can also get a payment of £130 at the beginning of the summer holidays.
Children turning three this summer
Parents who have a child turning three between April 1, 2023 and August 31, 2023 will be able to take up the offer of 30 hours of free childcare for working families.
You need to apply before July 31.
It’s also a good idea to check on your council’s website if you could be getting free school meals so your kids can access the extra help.
If you are on Universal Credit you may be able to get help with childcare from when your child is two years old.
A number of charities and organisations such as IncomeMax and Turn2Us have services that you can use to estimate all your benefit and grant entitlements.