Millions may be missing out on crucial financial support by not claiming benefits they’re eligible for.
Understanding the assistance available from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), including when payments are issued, can provide valuable help with essential costs through the winter months.
Benefit payment dates change depending on what type a person receives, and knowing the typical day they land can help people budget for the month accordingly.
From Attendance Allowance to Universal Credit, some DWP and HMRC benefits are paid every four weeks, while some are paid every two weeks.
Here, we’ll outline when people can expect to see their benefit payments land in accounts in November.
When will benefits be paid in November?
The date benefits are paid depends on the type of benefit and when a person started claiming.
Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and the state pension are usually paid every four weeks.
Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, and Jobseeker’s Allowance are usually paid into accounts every two weeks.
Carer’s Allowance is usually paid weekly in advance or every four weeks. Meanwhile, Child Benefit is also usually paid every four weeks. Although, this can also be paid weekly to single parents, or if they or their partner get certain benefits.
Tax Credits, such as Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits, are usually paid weekly or every four weeks.
Maternity Allowance is paid every two or four weeks, and Universal Credit is paid every month.
People can work out their next benefit payment date based on this information, by checking when they last received one.
If a payment date is due to fall on a weekend, the DWP said people are usually paid on the working day before.
A staggering £23billion worth of benefits are estimated to be going unclaimed every year, meaning many people may be missing out on the financial support they qualify for.
People can click here to access the Turn2us and Policy Practice benefit calculators to check their eligibility for extra help.
Winter Fuel Payment – up to £300
Despite calls for a U-turn on the policy change, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that the Winter Fuel Payment will only be paid to those who receive certain means-tested benefits.
The payment is worth between £200 and £300, depending on a person’s circumstance, and according to the Government, the cash will land in accounts automatically. This means people do not need to claim it.
Most Winter Fuel Payments are made between November and December, and people must have been getting one of the following benefits during the qualifying week of September 16 to 24, 2024, to receive it:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit.
They must also live in England or Wales and have been born before September 23, 1958.
Those who do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into their account by January 29, 2025, are advised to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
