Bank withholding benefits

[mydogmymate]

I bank with NatWest and also receive ESA, CB, and TC. With the Easter break on its way, I will be due payment on good Friday and Easter Monday and it would normally be paid early because of the bank holiday. I've just had a text from the bank to say that nothing will go in my account until Tuesday 3rd April, which means that I won't get money on time. Can the bank do this?

As you can imagine, I struggle at the best of times, but to have to wait 4 days to receive money I'm entitled will cause massive hardship for me.

The bank texted you about benefit payments?

Is this because they don't process payments on a Saturday?

Hi. Yes they did txt me. Payments from DWP don't get processed on a Saturday, in my case it's Friday and Monday. I've only just got the txt so it's too late to phone DWP, but I will tomorrow

www.gov.uk/when-is-your-next-tax-credits-payment
Looks like TC will be paid early.

So I wonder if the text from NatWest is an automated one based on your usual payment received date, warning you that it will be delayed till next banking day (Tuesday 3rd).

The text is just an automated text to let people know that since their systems changed in January all payments due in or out will take place on the next working day eg in this case as there is a Bank Holiday the next working day is the Tuesday. The change in January brought their systems in line with the way most other banks work.

Benefits tend to have different dates over periods like Christmas and Easter so might be worth giving them a phone tomorrow to check what date your next payments are due.

Thanks for your replies.
I know about the new policy of not paying in or out over the weekend, but my problem is Easter is a 4 day bank holiday and I'm panicking!

Then the bank isn't actually withholding anything. The processing times are different because of the holiday.

Don’t be silly!

The bank are not with holding your benefits, it’s down to the BHs.
How do you think people who are monthly paid manage?

My universal benefit goes into my brothers account sadly in September just gone he passed away unexpectedly. His daughter tried to close his account but it was restricted 21 September my money was due couldn't get my benefit now according to nationwide its only dwp who can call this money back as its government money but dwp told me they don't do that and I was given wrong information can anyone help me please