As the UK faces a bitterly cold start to 2026, with sub-zero temperatures and stormy weather forcing many indoors, financial pressures are intensifying for households. A combination of increased energy bills and the post-Christmas financial slump has created a difficult period, making awareness of available support more critical than ever.
Essential Payment Dates for February 2026
Benefit payments will be issued on their usual scheduled dates throughout February 2026, as there are no bank holidays to cause disruption. Payments continuing as normal include:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension and Pension Credit
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, and Jobseeker’s Allowance
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is aiming to complete the migration of all legacy benefits, such as tax credits and housing benefit, to Universal Credit by March 2026. Recipients should have already received notification about this move.
State Pension Schedule and Upcoming Increases
The basic state pension is paid directly into bank accounts every four weeks. The specific day of payment corresponds to the last two digits of your National Insurance number:
- 00 to 19: Monday
- 20 to 39: Tuesday
- 40 to 59: Wednesday
- 60 to 79: Thursday
- 80 to 99: Friday
From April 2026, the state pension is set to rise by 4.8 per cent, in line with annual earnings growth. This will increase the weekly amount to £241.05.
Most other benefits, including PIP and ESA, are expected to be uprated by 3.8 per cent from April, based on the previous September's inflation rate. However, a significant change will see the health-related element of Universal Credit for new claimants cut from £105 to £50 per month, with rates for existing claimants frozen until 2029.
Vital Cost of Living Support Available Now
Against a challenging economic backdrop, with £24bn in benefits going unclaimed annually according to Policy in Practice, it is essential households check their eligibility for support. Key schemes include:
Cold Weather Payments: The DWP scheme has been reactivated, providing a £25 payment for each seven-day period where local temperatures are at or below zero. Over one million households across 800 postcodes are estimated to be eligible.
Household Support Fund (HSF): Distributed by local councils until March 2026, this fund offers help with essentials, from utility bills to cash grants of up to £300. Applications must be made directly to your local authority.
Energy and Bill Assistance: Many energy suppliers, including British Gas and Octopus, offer support schemes and free devices like electric blankets. Social tariffs for broadband and water are also available for those on low incomes or certain benefits.
Other Help: Support includes Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP), interest-free Budgeting Advance loans for Universal Credit claimants, council tax reductions, and up to 30 hours of free childcare for working parents of under-fives.
Economic Context and Urgent Need for Support
The need for this support remains acute. Although inflation fell to 3.2 per cent in November, down from 3.6 per cent, prices continue to rise, just at a slower pace. Stagnant wages and high household bills have pushed millions into debt.
Recent research by the Trussell Trust found around 14 million adults are skipping meals because they cannot afford food, while energy arrears have more than doubled in five years to reach £4.4bn.
With the energy price cap rising slightly to £1,758 for the first quarter of 2026, and no further DWP Cost of Living Payments announced beyond 2024, accessing existing support is crucial for financial resilience this winter.
