State Pension will Increase Soon – Check out Payment Schedule When You’ll Get Paid!

As March arrives, many households look forward to warmer weather and lower energy bills. For those receiving benefits or pensions from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), March should bring payments as scheduled—except for Northern Ireland, where St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 may cause a minor delay. In this article, we’ll break down the payment schedule, potential changes, and what to expect in the coming months.

Will DWP Payments Be Affected in March?

For most people in England, Wales, and Scotland, DWP payments will be issued as usual, based on the specific schedule for each benefit type. However, in Northern Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day is a public holiday, which means some payments—such as Child Benefits—may be delayed by a day. If you were expecting a payment on March 17, you might receive it on March 18 instead.

There are no bank holidays in March for the rest of the UK, so payments should remain unaffected. However, if your usual payment date falls on a weekend, you may receive your benefit on the last working day before it.

Which Benefits Will Be Paid Normally?

Here’s a list of benefits that should be paid as scheduled in England, Wales, and Scotland:

• Universal Credit
• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Child Benefit
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

If you need more details, you can check your payment schedule on the official Gov.uk website.

State Pension Payment Dates in March

State pension payments will also follow the usual schedule. The exact date depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance (NI) number:

• 00 to 19 → Monday
• 20 to 39 → Tuesday
• 40 to 59 → Wednesday
• 60 to 79 → Thursday
• 80 to 99 → Friday

If your scheduled payment date falls on a weekend, you will likely receive it on the previous working day.

Upcoming Changes to DWP Payments

March marks the last set of payments before DWP benefits see a slight increase in April. These changes were confirmed in the Autumn Budget last year:

• DWP benefits will increase by 1.7%
• State pension will rise by 4.1%

Unfortunately, not all support programs will continue. The Household Support Fund, which has been helping vulnerable families with grants and vouchers, will end in March after a six-month extension. If you rely on this fund, check with your local council for further assistance options.

Migration to Universal Credit Continues

The DWP is also continuing its plan to move claimants from older benefits to Universal Credit. By March 2026, the following legacy benefits will be phased out:

• Child Tax Credits
• Working Tax Credits
• Income Support
• Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you receive any of these benefits, expect to be moved to Universal Credit in the near future.

For most people in England, Wales, and Scotland, DWP payments will be processed as usual in March. However, Northern Ireland residents should be aware of a potential one-day delay due to St. Patrick’s Day. Looking ahead, pension and benefit payments will increase in April, but the Household Support Fund is set to end. Additionally, the transition to Universal Credit is ongoing, affecting many claimants. Stay informed by checking official updates on Gov.uk to ensure you receive your payments on time.

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