March often brings a sense of relief, with the arrival of longer days and the hope of lower energy bills.
For many, it also means stable finances, as most Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits will be paid as usual. However, there are a few key details to keep in mind, especially for those in Northern Ireland.
DWP PIP Pension & UC Benefit Payout
For most people in England, Scotland, and Wales, there will be no change to their scheduled benefit payments in March 2025.
Payments will continue as planned, with no bank holidays affecting the schedule. The following benefits should be paid as usual:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
However, if your usual payment date falls on a weekend, you may receive it on the last working day before.
Northern Ireland
For those in Northern Ireland, St Patrick’s Day on March 17 is a public holiday. This means that anyone expecting payments such as Child Benefit on that date may receive them a day later, on March 18. Apart from this, all other payments should remain on schedule.
State Pension
State Pension payments in March 2025 should also follow the regular schedule. The exact payment day depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance number. Here’s when you can expect to receive your payment:
| National Insurance Digits | Payment Day |
|---|---|
| 00 to 19 | Monday |
| 20 to 39 | Tuesday |
| 40 to 59 | Wednesday |
| 60 to 79 | Thursday |
| 80 to 99 | Friday |
Upcoming Increases
March 2025 marks the final round of payments before benefit increases take effect in April. As announced in the Autumn Budget, DWP benefits will rise by 1.7%, while the State Pension will see a 4.1% increase. This will provide a slight financial boost to millions of claimants across the UK.
Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund, which has helped struggling households with cash grants, vouchers, and energy bill support, is set to end in March.
This fund had been extended for six months in September 2024, but there are no current plans for further extensions. If you rely on this support, it’s important to check with your local council for final assistance before it ends.
Universal Credit Migration
The DWP will continue transferring claimants from six legacy benefits to Universal Credit throughout March. This includes individuals receiving:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance
This transition is expected to be complete by March 2026, so affected claimants should prepare for changes in their payments.
While March may not bring significant disruptions to benefit payments, it’s still important to check your specific payment schedule, particularly if you live in Northern Ireland.
With benefit increases on the horizon and the Household Support Fund coming to an end, planning ahead will be essential for many households.
