The school holidays may be winding down, but for many families across the UK, money worries are not. Even though inflation has dropped back to pre-pandemic levels, the prices of everyday essentials like food, energy, and rent are still painfully high. A recent study by the Resolution Foundation shows that costs remain stubbornly inflated long after the peak of the cost of living crisis in 2022. The Food Foundation also revealed that more than 7 million adults struggled to afford food at the start of 2025. On top of that, household energy debts have doubled in the last five years, climbing to £3.9 billion by the end of 2024.
When Will Benefits Be Paid in September?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that benefit payments will go out as normal in September. Since there are no bank holidays this month, people can expect to be paid on their usual dates. This applies to Universal Credit, state pension, Pension Credit, Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance. The government is also continuing its move to transfer all “legacy benefits” such as tax credits and Housing Benefit over to Universal Credit.
State Pension Dates in September
For pensioners, payments will also stick to their usual pattern. The state pension is paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts. Which day you’re paid depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance number. For example, if your number ends between 00 and 19 you’re paid on Monday, while those ending 80 to 99 are paid on Friday. Pensioners saw a 4.1 per cent rise in April 2025, worth around £472 extra a year, thanks to the triple lock.
Will Benefits and Pensions Rise Again?
Back in April, working-age benefits such as Universal Credit and PIP went up by 1.7 per cent, matching inflation. Under Labour’s new welfare reforms, from April 2026 Universal Credit will increase each year by more than inflation until 2029. The first of these rises will be at least 2.3 per cent. However, there is a catch. The health-related element of Universal Credit for new claimants is being cut from £105 to £50 a month. This means anyone who thinks they may qualify should apply sooner rather than later to avoid losing out.
Extra Help If You’re Struggling
Alongside benefits and pensions, there are several other schemes offering financial support this autumn. The Household Support Fund (HSF), run through local councils, is one of the biggest. It helps with things like food, utility bills and essential household items. The fund will continue until March 2026 before being replaced by a new “Crisis and Resilience Fund.”
From this September, working parents can also claim 30 hours of free childcare for children up to the age of four. This expansion could save families hundreds of pounds a month, but parents must apply online and renew eligibility each term.
Energy bills are another major concern. Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will rise by 2 per cent in October, pushing the average annual bill from £1,720 to £1,755. While not as sharp as past increases, it still adds pressure for households already in debt. Many suppliers, including British Gas and EDF, have hardship funds for struggling customers, so it’s worth contacting them directly. Local councils also continue to offer council tax reductions, in some cases up to 100 per cent, for households on low incomes.
Where to Check What You’re Entitled To
Billions of pounds in support goes unclaimed every year. According to Policy in Practice, around £23 billion worth of benefits are left on the table annually. Tools like the Policy in Practice calculator
or Turn2us benefits checker can quickly show you what extra help you might be able to claim. With costs still rising faster than incomes, making sure you don’t miss out on any support has never been more important. September’s benefit and pension payments may offer some stability, but with bills climbing again in October, every little bit of help will count.