Millions of people across the UK will receive their benefit payments earlier than usual this month, as the Government has confirmed that payments due over the August bank holiday weekend
will instead be made on Friday 22 August 2025.
The move is designed to give families and individuals peace of mind, ensuring they can manage their budgets with confidence before the long weekend and ahead of the new school year.
What this means for claimants
Anyone due to be paid on Saturday 23, Sunday 24, or Monday 25 August will receive their money early. This applies to a wide range of benefits, including:
- Universal Credit
- Child Benefit
- State Pension
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Pension Credit
By paying early, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is making sure support continues smoothly, without disruption caused by bank closures over the holiday.
Why the change matters
For many households, August is an expensive month. With the school year about to begin, parents and carers often face extra costs for uniforms, supplies, and other essentials. Getting payments ahead of time means they can plan and spend with confidence, without worrying about delays.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms 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”.
Wider changes to the welfare system
This early payment comes alongside wider reforms under the Government’s Plan for Change, which aims to raise living standards and support working families.
For the first time, the Universal Credit standard allowance will permanently rise above inflation, giving a typical single claimant aged 25 or over an extra £725 a year by 2029/30. According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, this will be the biggest real-terms increase to out-of-work support since 1980, helping nearly four million households.
The Government says these changes are part of its mission to boost economic growth, reduce barriers to opportunity, and make sure the benefits system provides security for those who need it most.