Pensioners receive early payments due to Easter holidays

Millions of pensioners in the UK will receive their state pension payments earlier next month due to the Easter bank holidays. Good Friday is on April 18, and Easter Monday is on April 21. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has stated that payments will be made a day earlier, on Thursday, April 17. This early payment will also apply to other benefits, including child benefit, disability living allowance, carer's allowance, and personal independence payment (PIP). Recipients do not need to take any action, as the funds will be deposited into their bank accounts as usual. In addition to the changes for Easter, there will be further changes in May due to additional bank holidays on May 5 and May 26. Starting in April, the state pension will increase by 4.1%, or up to £474 annually, following the government's triple lock policy. This policy guarantees that the state pension rises by the highest of inflation, wages, or 2.5%. Currently, the full new state pension is £221.20 per week, which will increase to £230.25 per week beginning in April. Government figures show that the number of state pension recipients reached 13 million in August 2024, up by 203,000 from the previous year. Other changes next month may also impact finances. The Tax Credit service is set to close on April 5, transitioning most recipients to Universal Credit. Additionally, the earnings threshold for Carer's Allowance will rise from £151 to £196. Workers on the national minimum wage will see a 6% pay increase as well. Several benefits, such as Attendance Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Income Support, may also experience payment adjustments due to the Easter holiday schedule.