PIP, Universal Credit and state pension payments are distributed to millions of claimants across the UK
Details have been confirmed on benefit payment dates for October. Millions of claimants across the UK receive sums every month from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) but certain issues can see payment dates change.
Yet households on benefits and other DWP payments this month should not face any disruption, with money due to be paid into accounts on the usual day. Unless it falls on a weekend, in which case payments are typically made on the nearest working day before the weekend.
Bank holidays can also impact benefit and state pension payments, but due to a lack of these in October, recipients should anticipate their payments as per usual. However, some benefit recipients will also receive additional support at the end of this month as winter seasonal benefit schemes reopen.
Benefits that should be paid out as normal in October:
- Universal credit
- State pension
- Pension credit
- Child benefit
- Disability living allowance (DLA)
- Personal independence payment (PIP)
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Employment support allowance (ESA)
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance
The exact day you receive your benefit payment usually depends on when you started receiving it. Some benefits like Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance and Pension Credit are paid out every four weeks from the first time you receive the payment whereas Universal Credit payments are sent out on the same day every month.
Other benefits such as the State Pension and Maternity Allowance may offer recipients the choice to receive payments either monthly or weekly, particularly in the case of the state pension. The old state pension is paid every four weeks, with the specific day determined by your National Insurance number.
Basic state pension payment day based on the last two digits of your NI number:
- 00 to 19: Monday
- 20 to 39: Tuesday
- 40 to 59: Wednesday
- 60 to 79: Thursday
- 80 to 99: Friday
More information on DWP payment dates can be found on the Gov.uk website. A handful of seasonal DWP benefits will begin being distributed at the end of October. These include the Warm Home Discount scheme, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments.
The Warm Home Discount is a £150 reduction on your electricity bill, applied directly to your account by your supplier if you qualify. The money isn’t paid straight to recipients and should be automatic unless you’re on a low income in Scotland, in which case you might need to contact your energy supplier to apply.
Winter Fuel Payments will also start being distributed from the beginning of November. The DWP will continue sending out letters this month to eligible households confirming how much they’ll receive, as the benefit can range from £100 up to £300.
From the end of October, Cold Weather Payments will be activated for qualifying households in areas where the temperature is predicted or recorded to be zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days. This seasonal aid offers £25 for each seven-day period that meets this criteria from 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026.