In May 2026, critical adjustments will be made to payment dates for various benefits due to two bank holidays in the UK. This impacts around 24 million people currently receiving benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), including State Pension and Universal Credit recipients.
Bank Holidays in May 2026
The two bank holidays in May 2026 are:
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, May 4
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, May 25
These holidays will affect when benefit payments are disbursed.
Payment Schedule Changes
If a payment is scheduled for a bank holiday, recipients will receive their funds earlier. Specifically:
- Payments due on May 4 will be issued on Friday, May 1.
- Payments due on May 25 will be issued on Friday, May 22.
The changes apply to a range of benefits including Universal Credit, State Pension, Pension Credit, Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Most benefits are directly deposited into bank accounts, building society accounts, or credit union accounts.
Understanding State Pension Payments
For State Pension recipients, payment timing is also impacted by the bank holidays. The specific day you receive your payment corresponds to the final two digits of your National Insurance (NI) number, as follows:
| NI Number Ends With | Payment Day |
|---|---|
| 00 to 19 | Monday |
| 20 to 39 | Tuesday |
| 40 to 59 | Wednesday |
| 60 to 79 | Thursday |
| 80 to 99 | Friday |
Due to the earlier payment dates, beneficiaries may need to budget their funds for a longer period than usual. If payments do not arrive as expected, individuals are encouraged to contact the DWP at 0800 328 5644, although the office will be closed on bank holidays.
