As September 2025 begins, millions of UK households are still grappling with the ongoing cost of living crisis. Food, rent, and energy bills remain high, and energy arrears topped £3.9 billion by the end of 2024, while around 7.3 million adults faced food insecurity in early 2025.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) supports over 24 million people through various benefits, yet around £23 billion goes unclaimed every year. Keeping track of DWP benefit payment dates and knowing what support is available can make a big difference for families struggling to stay afloat.
Here’s a full guide to the DWP benefit payment schedule for September 2025, including State Pension, Universal Credit, and support schemes.
DWP Benefits Paid in September 2025
There are no bank holidays in September 2025, so all DWP payments will be made as scheduled. This applies to the following major benefits:
- State Pension
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
The DWP is also continuing the migration of all legacy benefit claimants to Universal Credit, with a target completion date of January 2026.
State Pension Payment Schedule – September 2025
State Pension is paid every four weeks, and the exact payment date depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance (NI) number.
| NI Number Ending | Payment Day |
|---|---|
| 00 to 19 | Monday |
| 20 to 39 | Tuesday |
| 40 to 59 | Wednesday |
| 60 to 79 | Thursday |
| 80 to 99 | Friday |
Payment Tip: If your payment date falls on a weekend, it will usually be paid on the last working day before it.
In April 2025, the State Pension rose by 4.1% under the triple lock, adding around £472 per year for full new State Pension claimants.
Universal Credit & Other Benefit Updates
Universal Credit is paid monthly and typically arrives seven days after your assessment period ends.
While most benefits saw a 1.7% rise in April 2025 in line with inflation, there were cuts to new health-related Universal Credit elements, dropping from £105 to £50 per month and frozen until 2029.
Looking ahead, Universal Credit payments are set to rise above inflation from April 2026 through 2029, starting at 2.3%.
Extra Support Available in September 2025
In addition to regular payments, several support schemes are still open to help struggling households:
| Support Scheme | Details |
|---|---|
| Budgeting Advance Loan | Up to £812 interest-free for families on Universal Credit. |
| Discretionary Housing Payment | Covers rent shortfalls, deposits, or advance rent. |
| Household Support Fund (HSF) | Grants of up to £300 for essentials, running until March 2026. |
| Energy Support Grants | Offered by British Gas, EDF, E.ON, and Octopus for bill help. |
| Council Tax Reduction | Up to 100% discount for low-income households. |
| Free Childcare | From September 2025, 30 hours free childcare for all under-5s. |
Energy Bills Update: The energy price cap fell from £1,849 to £1,720 between July and September 2025, giving some relief after three consecutive rises. The next cap for October–December 2025 will be announced at the end of August.
No New Cost of Living Payments in 2025
It’s important to note that no new Cost of Living Payments are scheduled for 2025. The final instalment was paid in February 2024, and future support will focus on targeted schemes like Pension Credit top-ups and energy bill discounts.
The DWP benefit payment schedule for September 2025 will run as normal, offering vital support to millions of households. While no new Cost of Living Payments are coming this year, families can still access Budgeting Advances, Housing Payments, Energy Grants, and free childcare.
With £23 billion in benefits left unclaimed every year, now is the time to double-check your entitlements and track your payment dates to make sure you don’t miss out on crucial support during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
FAQs
When will State Pension be paid in September 2025?
State Pension is paid every four weeks, on the weekday tied to your NI number’s last two digits.
Will Universal Credit payments change in September 2025?
No major changes are planned for September, but rates will increase above inflation starting in April 2026.
Are there any extra Cost of Living Payments in 2025?
No. The last Cost of Living payment was made in February 2024.
