Easter holidays Articles & Updates - cottenhamnews All the News, One Place Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:40:45 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://cottenhamnews.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/cropped-cotten-fav-32x32.png Easter holidays Articles & Updates - cottenhamnews 32 32 DWP Payment Date Change: Early Payments Scheduled for April 2, 2026 https://cottenhamnews.org.uk/dwp-payment-date-change/ Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:40:45 +0000 https://cottenhamnews.org.uk/dwp-payment-date-change/ The Department for Work and Pensions has announced a change in payment dates for several benefits, moving them to April 2, 2026, ahead of the Easter holidays.

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In a significant update, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that payments originally scheduled for Friday, April 3, and Monday, April 6, 2026, will instead be made on Thursday, April 2, 2026. This adjustment is primarily due to the Easter Bank Holidays, which include Good Friday and Easter Monday.

This change impacts a wide array of benefits, including Universal Credit, State Pension, and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Approximately 24 million people in the UK rely on some combination of DWP-administered benefits, making this date change crucial for many households.

As the DWP continues its migration of all legacy benefits to Universal Credit, set to be completed by the end of March 2026, this early payment could provide financial relief to those affected during the holiday period. The DWP’s decision to advance the payment date ensures that individuals will see the money in their accounts earlier than originally planned.

Notably, the basic state pension is typically disbursed every four weeks, and it is scheduled to rise by 4.8 percent starting in April 2026. This increase is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to support pensioners amidst rising living costs.

For new claimants, the health-related element of Universal Credit will see a reduction from £105 to £50, a change that has raised concerns among advocates for low-income families. Furthermore, the maximum repayment period for budgeting advance loans remains at two years, which is critical for those needing immediate financial assistance.

In summary, while the DWP’s payment date change offers a timely boost for many, it also highlights ongoing challenges within the benefits system. Payments not due on either of the Easter holidays will enter bank accounts as normal, ensuring that those not affected by the date change will continue to receive their benefits without disruption.

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