There are two bank holidays in May 2026 for the UK
Department for Work & Pensions (Image: PA)
Across the UK there are currently around 24 million people in the country claiming some combination of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) administered benefits, which include those receiving a State Pension. In May, some benefit payment dates will be impacted by the two bank holidays in the month.
There are two bank holidays in May 2026 for the UK, both falling on Mondays. The early May bank holiday on Monday May 4 and the spring bank holiday on Monday May 25. Bank holidays affect how and when most benefits are paid.
If your payment is due on Monday May 4, you should instead receive it on Friday May 1. For the spring bank holiday, if your payment is due on May 25, you should receive it on Friday May 22. You should check with your bank for the date you’ll get your payment.
These payment dates will be for most benefits, including Universal Credit, State Pension, Pension Credit, Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and others.
Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. Guidance from gov.uk said: “If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before.”
The same bank holiday payment date changes that apply to most benefits will also apply to State Pension payments. The basic State Pension is paid straight into bank accounts, similar to how benefits are paid. The exact day you receive it corresponds to the last two digits of your national insurance (NI) number.
Here’s when you should be paid based on those numbers:
00 to 19: Monday
20 to 39: Tuesday
40 to 59: Wednesday
60 to 79: Thursday
80 to 99: Friday
The change of dates means that money will need to last longer than previous months due to it being paid earlier. If you had been expecting your benefits but they hadn’t arrived, you need to contact the DWP on 0800 328 5644. It will be closed on bank holidays.
