February 2025 DWP payment dates for benefits and pensions, in full

Benefits are expected to increase by 1.7 percent from April, in line with inflation in September last year.

But this increase comes on the back of a planned reform of the entire system this spring, as the government looks to cut the welfare bill.

The Lords Economic Affairs Committee called for urgent reform of the health-related benefit system on Monday after an inquiry into the relationship between the welfare system and long-term illness.

It found that the UK now spends more on disability and disability benefits (almost £65bn) than on defence.

Lord Bridges of Headley, chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee, said: “The health benefits system is financially unsustainable, wastes human potential and – in the words of the Employment Secretary – “doesn’t work for anyone”.

“Given the pressure on the nation’s finances, tackling this must be a top priority for the government.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall promised radical changes to the system by October 2023 and a Green Paper outlining a review of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and other disability benefits is due to be published this spring.

This was announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). i paper this week that “the current unemployment benefit system needs reform so that it is fairer to taxpayers and people get the support they need to get into work”.

A DWP spokesman added: “Building on our Get Britain Working White Paper, we will set out proposals to reform the health and disability system this spring.

“This will be part of a proper plan to help disabled people who can work secure employment while ensuring support for those who need it.”

Last week Sir Keir Starmer warned that the Spending Review, expected in June this year, would be “reckless” and reports from Downing Street have said “nothing is off the table”.

But details of what changes will be implemented are yet to come, and in the meantime payments will continue as expected.

When is unemployment benefit paid in February?

Benefits are usually paid directly to the claimant’s bank, building society or credit union account.

When a payment date falls on a weekend or a public holiday, the compensation claim is usually paid on the working day before.

There are no public holidays in February, but payment dates falling on weekend dates will mean payments are moved back to the previous working day, which is a Friday.

This is the DWP’s benefit payment schedule:

If a benefit payment has not been made by the expected day, the DWP advises claimants to check the date on their allotment notice and bank account.

If the date is correct but the money has not reached a claimant’s account, they should contact the relevant helpline at government website.

When is the pension paid out in February?

The basic pension is paid directly into an applicant’s chosen bank, building or credit union account, just like all other benefits.

Pension payments are on a four-week cycle, with the day it is paid dependent on the last two digits of a claimant’s National Insurance (NI) number.

This is how NI figures correspond to payment days:

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

As there are no public holidays in February, pension payment dates remain unchanged.

If there is a problem with pension payments, a helpline is available here on the DWP website.