What to do if your benefits payments have been delayed
Here's what to do if you need to track down missing benefit payments.
Benefit payments such as universal credit are a vital lifeline for millions of families living in the UK.
That's why the government sets payment dates for each benefit to help people budget – which means it can be understandably stressful if something goes wrong.
Here's what you need to do if you are waiting for a benefit payment and it hasn't arrived when you've expected.
When is my payment due to arrive?
First off, it's worth double checking when your benefit payment is due to arrive as some have a set payment date, while others are paid every one, two or four weeks.
If you want to check your payment dates for the month ahead and the Christmas period, you can do so here. Check your payment due date by using our tool below.
What time will my benefits arrive?
As benefit payments are made through the automated payment system BACS. Most people can expect payments into their bank accounts between midnight and early morning.
Through the BACS system, the times that you receive these payments may vary, and differ to other people who get the same benefit payment. This means they can land any time before midnight on your payment due date.
However, if several hours roll by and the payment hasn't hit your bank account before midnight, here's what to do next.
1) Check with your bank if your payment hasn't arrived
The number of days it takes a BACS payment to arrive in your account will depend on your bank.
If you think a payment is missing, you can check with your bank if they may have received the payment, but the funds have not yet cleared.
They may also be able to give you an estimated timeframe for when the funds will arrive.
If you are paid your benefits by cheque, contact the office that paid the cheque as soon as possible. If the cheque was lost or stolen, you should also report it to the police.
2) Contact your benefit payments office
If your bank cannot see the payment in your account, it's time to call the office that pays out your benefit. Each benefit is handled by a different office.
Some of the numbers for the most common benefit payments are listed below.
Universal credit: 0800 328 5644
Personal independence payments (PIP): 0800 121 4433
Employment and support allowance or jobseekers' allowance: 0345 608 8545
Carer's allowance: 0345 608 4321
Pension credit: 0800 99 1234
Housing benefit: Phone your local council
If there has been a bank holiday or weekend, the payment could be delayed until the next working day. Make sure to check if your pay date will change over the festive season.
What if there is a lengthy delay?
Waiting days for a benefit payment to be made is rare, and understandably stressful. If it does take some time for your benefit to be paid, you are entitled to make a complaint.
Charity Mencap advises writing to the government department or local authority which administers the benefit about a delay. For example, contact HMRC for a delay in tax credit payments, or the local authority for a delay in housing benefit payment.
If you are waiting for your first benefit payment or experiencing a significant delay, and you are in financial need, you can request a short-term benefit advance.
This can be arranged by ringing the office that handles your payments.
However, you will have to pay this amount back.
