The new Labour Government is set to unveil its first Budget next month, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves poised to present her Autumn statement on October 30. While acknowledging the need for “tough decisions”, Ms Reeves has assured the public that there will be “no return to austerity”.
Signalling possible reforms ahead, the Chancellor has alluded to anticipated adjustments in the benefits and pensions system. However, until said changes are announced, benefits will be distributed as usual.
Here is a breakdown of the payment dates throughout October.
Benefit payments, including Jobseeker’s Allowance, Universal Credit, and Pension Credit, are usually paid directly into recipients’ accounts on set dates. However, if a payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the Government advises that claimants will typically receive their payment on the last working day before.
This may differ slightly for those receiving Tax Credits or Child Benefits, reports The Mirror.
October brings no bank holidays across England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, meaning most benefits should be distributed as per the regular schedule:
- Attendance Allowance – usually every four weeks
- Carer’s Allowance – weekly in advance or every four weeks
- Child Benefit – usually every four weeks or weekly for single parents
- Disability Living Allowance – usually every four weeks
- Employment and Support Allowance – usually every two weeks
- Income Support – usually every two weeks
- Jobseeker’s Allowance – usually every two weeks
- Maternity Allowance – every two or four weeks
- Pension Credit – usually every four weeks
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – usually every four weeks
- Tax Credits – every four weeks or weekly
- Universal Credit – every month.
If a benefit payment doesn’t arrive on time, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) advises checking the payment date on your award notice and ensuring the bank account details are correct. If the payment is still missing after the expected date, you should contact the relevant department through the gov.uk website at gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus/existing-benefit-claims.
Pensions
The basic state pension is paid directly into a claimant’s chosen bank, building society or credit union account every four weeks. The specific day on which the state pension is paid hinges on the last two digits of their national insurance number.
Here’s how national insurance numbers align with payment days:
- 00 to 19: Monday
- 20 to 39: Tuesday
- 40 to 59: Wednesday
- 60 to 79: Thursday
- 80 to 99: Friday.
The full basic state pension currently amounts to £169.50 per week. However, men born on or after April 6, 1951, or women born on or after April 6, 1953, will receive the new state pension instead. This is worth up to £220.20 per week.
To qualify for the full new state pension, people need a certain number of qualifying years of national insurance payment.
For a man, this is:
- 30 qualifying years if born between 1945 and 1951
- 44 qualifying years if born before 1945.
For a woman, this is:
- 30 qualifying years if born between 1950 and 1953
- 39 qualifying years if born before 1950.
If there are any issues with pension payments, people can contact the pension service on 0800 731 0469 or visit gov.uk/contact-pension-service.
