As the school holidays come to an end, some financial pressures on UK families may ease. But for millions, the rising cost of living continues to be a daily struggle. Prices for essentials remain high, while wages have largely stagnated, leaving households under pressure.
Research from the Resolution Foundation shows that the cost of essentials has stayed stubbornly high even after the peak of the cost of living crisis in 2022. At the same time, energy arrears have more than doubled over five years, reaching £3.9 billion at the end of 2026. Meanwhile, The Food Foundation reported that around 7.3 million adults (13.9% of households) experienced food insecurity in January 2026.
Claiming the support you’re entitled to
There are now around 24 million people in the UK claiming some form of DWP-administered benefits – roughly one in three people. Yet research by Policy in Practice shows that £23 billion worth of benefits goes unclaimed each year. You can use their online calculator to check what support you may be entitled to.
September Benefit Payment Dates
Benefit payments will continue as normal in September, with no bank holidays affecting the schedule. Key payments include:
Calculate Your 2026 COLA Increase →- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- 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
For full details on payment schedules, visit the UK government benefits page.
Universal Credit migration: The DWP aims to complete the move of all ‘legacy benefits’ to Universal Credit by January 2026. If you receive tax credits, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, or housing benefit, you should have received a notice about your transition.
Pension Payment Dates in September
The basic state pension is paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts. Your payment day depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance (NI) number:
| NI Number | Payment Day |
|---|---|
| 00–19 | Monday |
| 20–39 | Tuesday |
| 40–59 | Wednesday |
| 60–79 | Thursday |
| 80–99 | Friday |
Benefit and Pension Rate Updates
- Working-age benefits: In April 2026, benefits increased by 1.7%, in line with inflation. This includes Universal Credit, PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, and ESA.
- State Pension: Rose 4.1%, up £472 per year, following the triple lock.
Upcoming changes:
From April 2026, Universal Credit claimants will get an above-inflation increase under Labour’s welfare reforms, with the first rise at least 2.3%. However, the health-related element for new claimants will drop from £105 to £50 per month, frozen until 2029. Applying early may help you secure maximum support.
Extra Support Available
Budgeting Advance Loans
If you’re on Universal Credit and face a financial emergency, you can apply for an interest-free budgeting advance loan:
- Single: up to £348
- Couple: up to £464
- With Child Benefit: up to £812
Repayments are automatically deducted over a maximum of two years. From April 2026, deductions are capped at 15% of the standard allowance.
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
Councils can provide extra support for housing costs if you already receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. This can cover:
- Rent shortfalls
- Rent deposits
- Rent in advance
Eligibility and funds vary by council. Contact your local authority for details.
Household Support Fund (HSF)
The HSF helps households with essential costs like appliances, utilities, and cash payments up to £300. Local councils decide how to allocate funds. The program will run until March 2026, transitioning into the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Charitable Grants
Charities such as Turn2us provide grants for people who are disabled, ill, unemployed, carers, students, or bereaved. Funds are limited, and eligibility criteria apply.
Energy Provider Help
Some suppliers (British Gas, EDF, Scottish Power, E.ON, Octopus) offer financial help to those struggling with energy bills. Contact your provider to check eligibility.
Council Tax Reduction
Depending on your benefits or circumstances, you may qualify for up to 100% council tax reduction. Your council can also consider discretionary reductions for severe hardship.
Free Childcare
Working parents are entitled to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged 3–4. From September 2026, all children under five are eligible for 30 hours per week. Tax-free childcare schemes also give 20p back for every 80p spent, up to £500 per child annually.
Energy Price Cap
The Ofgem energy price cap for July–September 2026 is £1,720, down from £1,849 (a 7% fall). This applies to most households on standard variable tariffs. The next cap for October–December will be announced at the end of August.
Cost of Living Payments
The DWP has not announced any new Cost of Living Payments since the scheme ended in February 2026.
Mental Health Support
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. Available 24/7.
- Mind: Support line 0300 102 1234, information line 0300 123 3393, and welfare benefits line 0300 222 5782.
- Scope: Online forums for people with disabilities to connect and get support.
- NHS England: Online mental health triage services are available for guidance and support.
