Important information on Employment and Support Allowance payments

Date published: 05 January 2018

A technical issue in the benefits computer system means some Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) customers will receive weekly payments instead of their normal fortnightly payments.

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This affects customers due a fortnightly payment on Monday 15 January 2018.  Instead, these customers will receive two weekly payments, on Monday 8 and 15 January.

No one will miss out on a payment and customers do not need to take any further action. However, customers should take account of this split in payments while planning their financial needs and budget accordingly.

It is expected that less than 10% of ESA claimants (up to 11,000 claimants) may be affected.

Normal fortnightly payments will resume on 29 January.

The Department for Communities apologises for any inconvenience caused. 

Notes to editors: 

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