Urgent warning as benefit payments could be DELAYED including Universal Credit and state pension
BENEFIT claimants have been warned by the government that payments could be delayed.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced people due payments today, September 21, could receive them later than usual.
Benefit payments are usually made just after midnight, though the exact time you get the payment can depend on who you bank with.
But many people have complained they are waiting for the cash to hit bank accounts long after they are normally due.
In a tweet, the DWP said: “People due payments on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 September will be paid throughout the day of their expected payment date.”
It added no one needs to contact the department to check about payments.
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We’ve also asked the DWP what people can do if they’ve been left out of pocket by a delayed payment and will update when we hear back.
People have complained that Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments are affected.
Angry claimants have taken to Twitter following the announcement.
One person said: “I’m overdrawn so not happy one bit…surely a letter or text telling people about this rather than a tweet would of (sic) been more appropriate.
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“I’ll be worrying all day now and can’t get the shopping I need.”
Another person added: “Woke up to find myself £140 overdrawn because of this.
“Will DWP refund my bank charges?”
While one added: “I’m a vulnerable person, with health challenges, can’t use my stairlift or hospital bed because I can’t afford electricity.
“Payment due today and none received. What do I do cause no one is picking my call. I’m in distress.”
The full list of payments affected includes:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Universal Credit
- Child Benefit/Guardian’s Allowance
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
The Queen’s funeral Bank Holiday saw millions of benefit claimants receive payments early last week.
People who were due to receive payments on Monday, September 19, were instead paid on September 16.
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That’s because this was the last working day before the State Funeral.
This is standard procedure for the Department for Work and Pensions and sees benefit recipients receive payments earlier if their normal pay date falls on a Bank Holiday.