DWP benefit claimants may want to double-check when they will get their payments. The department has issued an update reminding people that there will be some changes to the usual rules.
In a message posted on social media on May 21, the DWP said: “Child Benefit payment update. Due to the upcoming May bank holiday, some customers may receive their Child Benefit payment early.”
The group also included a link to guidance on the Government website about the issue. Child Benefit is paid in four-weekly instalments and usually goes out on a Monday or a Tuesday.
If you are due to get a payment on Monday, May 25, you will get this payment instead on Friday, May 22. It’s worth checking if you can claim Child Benefit if you have any children in your care.
You can get £27.05 a week for your first child and £17.90 a week for each additional child. This means if you have two children, you would get £179.80 each four-week pay period.
However, you may need to pay back part of your claim depending on your level of income. If you or your partner have an individual income of £60,000 a year, you have to pay back one percent of your claim for each £100 you earn above this.
You have to pay all the funds back once your individual income reaches £80,000. The DWP often issues payments early when a bank holiday comes around.
The group has confirmed that anyone due a payment on Monday, May 25, will get their payments on Friday, May 22. This includes Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and the state pension.
You may also want to use this opportunity to check if you can claim more benefits. You can find out if you are eligible for more help using a benefits calculator. There are several calculator tools available online, such as the one on the Turn2us website.