Payment schedule
Paid every 4 weeks in arrears. The day depends on your NI number. Bank holidays move payments forward to the previous working day.
Day-of-week rules (last 2 digits of NI number)
00 to 19
Monday
20 to 39
Tuesday
40 to 59
Wednesday
60 to 79
Thursday
80 to 99
Friday
Source
Verified Q2 2026
gov.uk claim and payment guidance
First payment after claiming
The first payment usually arrives up to 5 weeks after the date you reach SPA, and includes the time from SPA to the first scheduled pay day. After that, the 4-weekly cycle settles1.
Bank holidays
If your pay date falls on a bank holiday, payment is made on the previous working day2. This affects the late December / early January period most often.
By Oliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder, Digital Signet.
Rates current for 2026/27 · Verified Q2 2026 · Next refresh after Autumn Budget 2026