DWP and HMRC October payments 2025 - and what happens if you don't get paid

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC are responsible for distributing benefits to more than 20 million people across the UK. If you're a recipient of any welfare payments or the State Pension, it's vital to be aware of when your payment will be processed this month.

Fortunately, with no bank holidays in October, all benefit payments will proceed as normal. Payments are typically brought forward when a bank holiday is due.

Below, we've compiled a list of some of the most common benefit payments and their usual payment schedules.

October DWP and HMRC benefit payments

You can find specific payment dates and cycles on your benefit decision notice. However, according to the Mirror, these are the typical timelines they adhere to:

• 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
• Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly
• Universal Credit - Every month
• 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 get certain benefits
• Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks
• Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks
• Income Support - Usually every two weeks

State Pension payment dates in October

The payment dates for the State Pension in October depend on the last two digits of your National Insurance number. The State Pension is usually paid every four weeks as follows:

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

What if I don't get paid?

If your benefit payment doesn't arrive as expected, you should contact the relevant helpline.

Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance:

• Call for free: 0800 169 0310
• Textphone: 0800 169 0314
• Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310

Tax credits:

• Call HMRC for free: 0345 300 3900
• From outside the UK: +44 2890 538 192

Child benefit:

• Call for free: 0300 200 3100
• Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086

Universal Credit:

• Call for free: 0800 328 9344
• Welsh speaking: 0800 012 1888
• Textphone: 0800 328 1344