• [Dailystar Icon]
• Life & Style
• Money
• DWP

DWP confirms millions to receive August 2026 benefit payments early

The Department for Work and Pensions has issued an update for benefit claimants

[A woman is sitting at a wooden table, holding a smartphone and sorting through papers in a well-lit home office filled with natural light.]

The move will also give families and carers greater certainty(Image: Iryna Melnyk via Getty Images)

Millions of households will get vital benefits and pension payments early this month.

Payments due to land in bank accounts on Monday, August 31, will instead be made on Friday, August 28, the Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed. The move will affect millions of people across the UK, including pensioners, families receiving Universal Credit and people claiming disability and carer's benefits.

It means those relying on payments due over the August bank holiday weekend will have their money before the long weekend begins. The Government says the move will also give families and carers greater certainty as they prepare for the new school year, at a time when many household budgets remain under pressure.

[Woman sitting on a sofa, happily reviewing paperwork, holding a smartphone, and using a laptop to manage her budgeting, banking, and online bill payments at home]

The announcement comes shortly before children return to school(Image: Liubomyr Vorona via Getty Images)

Payments will be made early

The early payment arrangement applies to benefits and payments originally scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2026.

They include:

• Universal Credit
• State Pension
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer's Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Industrial Injuries Compensation Scheme

The DWP says the arrangement applies across the whole of the UK, with Scotland following the same principle despite having different bank holiday arrangements.

[Senior couple payings bills inside home]

The Government highlighted other measures it says are designed to ease pressure on household finances(Image: MoMo Productions via Getty Images)

What the DWP says

Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, said: Were pleased to confirm that benefit payments due on the August bank holiday will be paid earlier. This will help ensure families and older people receive their money without disruption over the bank holiday period.

He added that the Government was determined to give people the support and breathing room they need, pointing to measures including action on energy bills, increases to the National Minimum Wage and policies intended to reduce child poverty.

The announcement comes shortly before children return to school, meaning families receiving benefits will be able to access their money before the bank holiday rather than waiting until the following working day.

The Government also highlighted other measures it says are designed to ease pressure on household finances, including expanding free school meals for children in households claiming Universal Credit, childcare support, free breakfast clubs and a planned reduction of 150 in energy costs.

It says its 1billion Crisis and Resilience Fund will also provide local authorities with money to help households facing financial crises.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.