DWP payment dates for benefits and pensions in May 2024 – and how to know if you’re eligible

As the impact of the cost of living crisis continues to be felt in May 2024, it’s so important to claim the benefits you are entitled to.

Just under £23bn in benefits goes unclaimed each year, according to recent research by Policy in Practice. That’s often because people don’t know about them, can’t access them and because of the stigma around asking for help.

Although benefits are not stretching far enough, they are often a lifeline.

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You are far from alone if you are struggling in the cost of living crisis. It has gone on for far too long and our bills are still going up. April came along with increases in council tax, water and broadband bills.

Below, we have rounded up everything you need to know about benefits you can claim in May 2024 – and where to get help if that’s not enough.

When will my benefits paid by the DWP in May 2024?

The date your benefit is paid depends on what benefit you receive and when you started claiming.

Universal credit is paid monthly by the DWP. You can find out more about universal credit here.

Attendance allowance, disability living allowance, pension credit, personal independence payment and state pension are paid every four weeks.

Carer’s allowance, tax credits (from HMRC) and child benefit are either weekly or every four weeks. And maternity allowance is either every two weeks or every four weeks.

Income support, employment and support allowance and jobseeker’s allowance are usually every two weeks.

How do I know if I am eligible for DWP benefits in May 2024?

You could be entitled to benefits and tax credits if you are working or unemployed, sick or disabled, a parent, a young person, an older person or a veteran. You can use a benefits calculator to find out what you might be entitled to claim – including from Turn2Us,Policy in Practice and entitledto.

Citizens Advice offers information and services to help people and they can advise you as to what financial support is available from the government to help you. You can also find local advice services here.

The government’s Help for Households website explains what other support you could be eligible for – and we’ve got a round-up of all the cost of living help available to households here.

How much are benefits and state pension after the April increase?

Benefits increased by 6.7% in April 2024. That means that your benefit payment will be 6.7% higher than it was in March.

For example, if you are a single person over the age of 25, your universal credit payment increased from £368.74 to £393.45 per month.

State pension has been increased by 8.5% from, according to the rules of the triple lock.

It means that those on the new state pension (for those reaching pension age after April 2016) now get £221.20 each week, up from £203.25.

Meanwhile, those on the basic state pension get £169.50 each week, up from £156.20.

Are there any more cost of living payments planned for 2024?

There are no more cost of living payments planned by the DWP for 2024.

The last one should have hit bank accounts by February 22, if you were eligible.

If you think you should have had a payment but you can’t see it in your bank account, you can report it through the government’s website.

Before reporting a missing payment, you should check your bank, building society or credit union account, or your payment exception service voucher receipt.

Find out more about the cost of living payment here.

Where else can I get cost of living help?

Benefits aren’t stretching far enough in the cost of living crisis – but there are other options out there for people who need it.

People who are struggling financially may be eligible for charitable grants. You can find out what grants might be available to you using Turn2Us’ grant search on the charity’s website. There are a huge range of grants available for different people – including those who are bereaved, disabled, unemployed, redundant, ill, a carer, veteran, young person or old person. Grants are also usually available to people who have no recourse to public funds and cannot claim welfare benefits. 

If you are unable to pay your bills, your local council may have a scheme that can help you. Local councils may be able to give you debt advice, help you get hold of furniture and support you through food and fuel poverty. Your council may also have a local welfare assistance scheme, also known as crisis support. You can also find out what support your council offers through End Furniture Poverty’s local welfare assistance finder or by contacting your local authority directly.

You can find your local food bank through the Trussell Trust’s website or the IFAN’s member’s map. You can also call the Trussell Trust’s free helplines and talk to a trained adviser. It’s 0808 208 2138 if you live in England or Wales, and 0800 915 4604 if you live in Northern Ireland. You should contact your local council if you live in Scotland.

There’s lots more cost of living help available to people who need it – we round it up here.