Universal Credit: How do payment dates work and how regularly will I receive my benefit money?

Millions of people across the country have or use Universal Credit to make ends meet.

It is a payment to those who are working, unemployed or unable to work and can be paid out periodically to anyone or a couple.

Those who use Universal Credit benefit receive a standard allowance plus extras if they have a medical condition or disability, care for children, or need help with their housing expenses.

But how do payment dates work for Universal Credit claimants, how regularly does someone receive their Universal Credit cash, and what happens if their date falls on a non-working day? Here’s what we know.

Universal Credit: How do the payment dates work and how regularly do I receive my benefit money?

Universal Credit is a sum of money paid out to applicants each month. Initially, however, the first payment is usually not released until five weeks after the first claim.

The date your money ends up in your bank account depends on your assessment period. The initial assessment period begins on the date of your first claim and lasts for one calendar month.

Read more: What is a cold weather payment? Money you could get to help through the winter

You will receive your first lump sum a week after the end of the assessment period. This date is usually fixed and means you will continue to receive your money on this date every month.

However, if your date falls on the 29th, 30th or 31st and there is no date for that day in that particular month, you will usually be paid the business day before.

For example, if your payment date is normally the 29th but February only has 28 days, you will be paid on the 28th.

There are also changes if your Universal Credit payment date falls on a holiday. With Easter and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee fast approaching, you may be wondering when your money will be in your bank account.

Well, if your payment date falls on a public holiday, whether it’s Easter Monday or a bank holiday in May, you’ll be paid the business day in advance. So watch the money in your bank account.

But what if your Universal Credit payment doesn’t cover all the household bills and other essentials? Can you claim otherwise? There are a variety of other measures for people who may be in need.

With energy and food prices soaring, it’s going to be a tough time for many people. If you’re applying for Universal Credit and the temperatures in your area are below freezing, you can apply for what’s known as a cold-weather payment.

It’s worth £25 and is paid for each seven day period that the temperature in your area is zero or below.

If that is not enough, you can also apply for the household aid fund. For example, you can receive food vouchers for weekly shopping. Check with your local authority what is on offer to support you.

There are some other measures for Universal Credit applicants, such as: B. a budgeting advance, which is a loan that can be disbursed to you but is subsequently recouped by lower Universal Credit payments.

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