The DWP has made changes to payments for some households
07:55, 23 Aug 2025Updated 07:57, 23 Aug 2025
Some pensioners have been paid early over the bank holiday.
Some pensioners have been noticing surprise payments landing in their bank accounts.
The cash arrived at an unusual time on Friday, August 22 for certain households.
And pensioners spotting the money may have been left why the payments had arrived in their accounts – but there’s a simple explanation.
READ MORE: State pensioners born before 1959 alerted to payment changes this week
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Those due to receive pension payments on Saturday, Sunday or Monday (August 23, 24 and 25) were paid their money early on Friday instead.
This is because the DWP doesn’t process payments over the bank holiday weekend.
Early payments may seem like a boost but finance experts are warning these people will have to make money stretch longer than usual.
So it’s important to bear this in mind and make sure bills and other costs are covered.
Claimants of DWP benefits like Universal Credit will also have been paid early if they were due to receive cash on these dates.
Fiona Peake, Personal Finance Expert at Ocean Finance, said: “Getting your money on Friday instead of the Monday might feel like a win going into the long weekend, but it means you’ll have three extra days to stretch it.
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“That can throw your budget out, especially if you’re living week to week.
“It’s not always easy to hold back spending when your account’s just been topped up but blowing through your benefit early could leave you short when it really matters.
“Some people get caught out by thinking they’ll always get their benefits early around a bank holiday.
“That’s not the case. If your next due date falls on a normal working day, your payment will be back to its usual timing and if you’ve spent early, you might already be playing catch-up.”