The DWP is to make changes to ten benefits payments within days – following the bank holiday adjustment, parents with children continuing their education have been warned to update HMRC by this date
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC are set to make a major change to ten means-tested benefits in the coming days.
This will result in thousands of individuals who receive welfare payments, such as Universal Credit, receiving their money on a different day than usual.
Due to the fact that when payment dates fall on a bank holiday or weekend, the funds are sent on the first working day prior. It means this bank holiday’s payment will be issued on Friday, August 22 instead of on Monday, August 25.
Those expecting payments on August 23 or 24 will also receive their money on August 22. This news comes after reports that ‘state pensioners could lose DWP payments after ‘unfair’ £10,000 rule’.
The DWP and HMRC will pay these benefits early in August:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Child Benefit (paid by HMRC)
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The amount you receive will not alter, remaining the same as the previous payment unless there has been a change in your circumstances which would affect the number you are due.
Bear in mind that if you receive an early payment, you must ensure that this money lasts, as you will have to wait additional days until your next payment date.
Additionally, If you are expecting your benefit payment on 22 August and don’t receive it, you should contact the DWP as soon as possible. If your payment is incorrect, you can lodge a complaint with the government department to rectify the issue.
Meanwhile, parents are being urged to act swiftly or risk losing their Child Benefit payments. The tax office is sending out thousands of letters to parents of teenagers, requesting updates on their future education plans – with Child Benefit currently standing at £26.05 a week for the eldest or only child.
For each additional child, parents receive £17.25 a week. However, payments automatically cease on August 31 on/after the child’s 16th birthday, unless parents renew their claim when their child continues in education.
Parents whose children are continuing their education have until August 31 to inform HMRC, or their payments will automatically stop.
Parents can continue to receive this financial boost until their child turns 19 and is enrolled in an apprenticeship programme or the following education schemes:
- A levels or Scottish Highers
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Home education – if the course began before their child turned 16, or after 16 if they have a statement of special educational needs and it was assessed by the local authority
- T levels
- NVQs, up to level 3
Child Benefit will also continue for children studying on one of these unpaid approved training courses:
- In Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme
- In Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work
- In Scotland: Employability Fund programme and No One Left Behind