How benefits and pensions are paid
Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account.
How often you’re paid
| Benefit | How often it's paid |
|---|---|
| Attendance Allowance | Usually every four weeks |
| Carer’s Allowance | Weekly in advance, or every four weeks |
| Child Benefit | Usually every four weeks, or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner are getting certain benefits |
| Disability Living Allowance | Usually every four weeks |
| Employment and Support Allowance | Usually every two weeks |
| Jobseeker's Allowance | Usually every two weeks |
| Pension Credit | Usually every four weeks |
| Personal Independence Payment | Usually every four weeks |
| State Pension | Usually every four weeks |
| Universal Credit | Twice monthly |
Bank holidays
If your payment is due on a bank holiday, you will usually be paid on the last working day before the holiday.
How your benefits are paid
You’ll be asked for your bank, building society or credit union account details when you claim. You can normally only get paid in a different way if you have problems opening or managing an account.
If you cannot open or manage a bank, building society or credit union account you should contact the office that pays your benefit to find out how to get it paid.
Choosing a payment method
If you do not have a bank, building society or credit union account you can set up a new one to have your benefit or pension payments paid into.
To help you choose a payment method that is right for your circumstances, support services are available from:
Guardian’s Allowance
You can get the money paid into any account, apart from a Nationwide Building Society account in someone else’s name.
Child Benefit
You can get the money paid into any account, apart from a Nationwide cash builder account (sort code 070030) in someone else’s name.
Report a change in your circumstances
To make sure you get the right amount of benefits and to avoid committing benefit fraud, you must report any changes in your circumstances.
Your claim might be reduced or stopped if you don’t report a change straight away or you give incorrect information.
Learn more information on avoiding benefit fraud: report changes in your circumstances.