The Easter 2025 holidays are approaching, and if you receive payments under Universal Credit, State Pension or any other government benefit scheme, it is important for you to know what changes are going to happen to your payment dates due to these bank holidays. If you do not plan in time, these changes can affect your budget.
In this article, we will tell you which benefits will be affected, what the new payment dates are, and how you can avoid any financial trouble by planning your expenses in time.
Why are there changes in payments?
Every year during Easter and other public holidays, banks and government offices such as DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) are closed. Since these organizations manage the process of benefit payments, it is ensured that the beneficiaries who are due to receive payments during the holidays are provided with the amount in time.
In the year 2025, Good Friday (18 April 2025) and Easter Monday (21 April 2025) will be public holidays. In such a situation, the benefits that were to be paid on these dates will be paid in advance on Thursday, 17 April 2025.
Which benefits will be affected?
The major benefits whose payment dates will change during Easter 2025 include
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Child Benefit and Tax Credits
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker Allowance (JSA)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
If all these benefits were to be paid on 18 or 21 April, they will be paid on 17 April.
Practical example: How the change will be reflected
Let’s say a beneficiary, “Reema,” receives Universal Credit on the 21st of every month. Normally she should have received her payment on the 21st of April 2025, but due to the Easter holiday, she will now receive her payment on the 17th of April 2025.
Such a change lengthens the period between April and May, making it important to plan the budget properly.
Summary of new and old payment dates
| Original Payment Date | New Payment Date (April 2025) |
|---|---|
| Friday, 18 April 2025 | Thursday, 17 April 2025 |
| Monday, 21 April 2025 | Thursday, 17 April 2025 |
If your payment date is not on 18th or 21st April, you will receive the payment on the usual date.
How to prepare for this change?
Getting paid early may feel good, but it also means that the next payment will come late. So after the early payment in April, there may be a long wait until May. In such a situation, you should take some important steps:
1. Prepare the budget in advance
- Set aside money for your monthly expenses like rent, electricity, water, ration etc. This will help you maintain financial stability until the end of the month.
2. Set reminders and bank alerts
- Mark the date of 17 April 2025 on your mobile or calendar and turn on bank alerts, so you know when the money comes in and goes out.
3. Share information about payment changes
- If your tenancy, bills or other payments are linked to the date of Universal Credit, inform the relevant people (such as landlords) of this change in advance.
Where to check your payment date?
If you are not sure when your next payment date is, you can get information from these sources:
- Visit the official website of Gov.uk and see the “Benefits Payment Dates” section.
- If you are a Universal Credit user, check your online journal.
- If you are an HMRC user, log in to your HMRC account.
- If necessary, contact DWP or HMRC directly.
Conclusion: Timely information and smart planning are key
Changes in payment dates during Easter 2025 are a common occurrence, but they are only beneficial if you are well informed and can adjust your budget accordingly. Early payment doesn’t mean you should spend more—it’s time to plan carefully until your next payment.
Finally, always keep yourself updated with official sources, and make your financial decisions wisely to avoid any inconvenience.
FAQs
Q. Why has the payment date been changed?
A. The change is due to a public holiday falling on the original payment date.
Q. Will I receive my payment earlier than usual?
A. Yes, you will receive it one or more days earlier than the original date.
Q. Do I need to take any action to get my payment on the new date?
A. No, payments will be processed automatically on the revised date.
Q. Does the new date affect the payment amount?
A. No, only the date has changed. The amount remains the same.
Q. What if I don’t receive the payment on the new date?
A. You should contact the payment authority or relevant support service for help.