DWP benefit dates for August 2024 – plus universal credit changes

Below, we’ve outlined the dates your benefits and state pension will be paid by the DWP in August 2024, how to know if you could be eligible for more benefits, and where else to get financial support.

What date will my DWP benefits be paid in August 2024?

The date your benefit is paid depends on what benefit you receive and when you started claiming.

Universal credit is paid monthly by the DWP. Attendance allowance, disability living allowance, pension credit, personal independence payment (PIP) and state pension are paid every four weeks after the date your received your first payment.

Carer’s allowance, tax credits (from HMRC) and child benefit are either weekly or every four weeks. And maternity allowance is either every two weeks or every four weeks.

If the date you usually expect your benefit payment falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, then your benefit will be paid on the working day before.

When will my state pension be paid in August 2024?

State pension is usually paid every four weeks. The day your pension is paid depends on your national insurance number.

If your NI number is 00 to 019, you’ll be paid on Monday. If it’s 20 to 39, it’s Tuesday. For 40 to 59, it’s Wednesday. If it’s 60 to 79, you’ll be paid on Thursday. And for 80 to 99, it’s Friday.

You’ll be asked when you want to start getting your state pension when you claim, and your first payment will be no later than five weeks after the date you choose.

How do I know if I am eligible for benefits in August 2024?

You could be entitled to benefits and tax credits if you are working or unemployed, sick or disabled, a parent, a young person, an older person or a veteran. You can use a benefits calculator to find out what you might be entitled to claim – including from Turn2Us, Policy in Practice and entitledto.

Citizens Advice offers information and services to help people and they can advise you as to what financial support is available from the government to help you. You can also find local advice services here.

The government’s Help for Households website explains what other support you could be eligible for – and we’ve got a round-up of all the cost of living help available to households here.

What to do if you haven’t received your benefit payment

If your benefit payment hasn’t arrived and you think you should have received it, double check the payment date on your awards notice in the first instance. If there has been a bank holiday or weekend, it may be delayed until the next working day.

After that, contact your bank to ask if there is a payment waiting to go through. The payment might be pending and it might be a simple issue of the funds not having been cleared yet.

And if it’s still missing, it’s time to contact the office which handles your benefit or pension – such as the DWP or HMRC. For example, for universal credit you can use your online account or call the universal credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

For missing PIP payments, contact the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433. If you are receiving tax credits or other financial support handled by the HMRC, contact HMRC.

Where else can I get cost of living help?

Benefits aren’t stretching far enough in the cost of living crisis and there are no more cost of living payments planned in 2024 – but there are other options out there for people who need it.

People who are struggling financially may be eligible for charitable grants. You can find out what grants might be available to you using Turn2Us’ grant search on the charity’s website.

There are a huge range of grants available for different people – including those who are bereaved, disabled, unemployed, redundant, ill, a carer, veteran, young person or old person. Grants are also usually available to people who have no recourse to public funds and cannot claim welfare benefits. 

If you are unable to pay your bills, your local council may have a scheme that can help you. Local councils may be able to give you debt advice, help you get hold of furniture and support you through food and fuel poverty.

Your council may also have a local welfare assistance scheme, also known as crisis support. You can also find out what support your council offers through End Furniture Poverty’s local welfare assistance finder or by contacting your local authority directly.

You can find your local food bank through the Trussell Trust’s website or the IFAN’s member’s map. You can also call the Trussell Trust’s free helplines and talk to a trained adviser. It’s 0808 208 2138 if you live in England or Wales, and 0800 915 4604 if you live in Northern Ireland. You should contact your local council if you live in Scotland.

There’s lots more cost of living help available to people who need it – we round it up here.

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