DWP State Pension | Unlock Weekly Payments: Guide to Changing Your DWP State Pension Frequency 2025

Discover how UK State Pensioners on the New or Basic Pension can easily switch to weekly payments for better budgeting. Learn about the 2025/26 pension increases and how to request a change from the DWP. #DWPStatePension #StatePensionUK #PensionPayments #BudgetingTips

Summary: This article informs UK State Pension recipients, both on the New and Basic schemes, about their ability to change their payment frequency from the standard four-weekly cycle to weekly. A former DWP insider provides clear instructions on how to request this change, either by contacting the Pension Service via phone or mail, or by specifying weekly payments on the initial claim form. The piece also details the recent State Pension increases for the 2025/26 financial year and underscores the potential budgeting benefits of receiving payments weekly, particularly in light of rising household bills.

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Table of Contents

Highlights on DWP State Pension

Individuals receiving the New or Basic State Pension in the UK can switch their payment frequency from monthly to weekly.
A former DWP employee, Sandra Wrench, reveals the simple steps to request this change via phone or mail.
The State Pension has increased in April 2025, with the full New State Pension rising to £230.25 per week and the full Basic State Pension to £176.45 per week.
Changing to weekly payments can aid budgeting, especially for those accustomed to weekly wages.
The DWP application form doesn’t explicitly highlight the weekly payment option, a point raised by financial experts.

Unlock Weekly Payments: Your Guide to Changing Your DWP State Pension Frequency

For many individuals in the United Kingdom relying on the dwp state pension, managing finances effectively is paramount. While the standard payment schedule for the State Pension is typically every four weeks, many pensioners may not be aware of a flexible option that could significantly aid their budgeting: the ability to receive their dwp state pension payments weekly.

This often-overlooked alternative has been brought to the forefront by a former employee of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Sandra Wrench. Her insights reveal a straightforward process for existing State Pension recipients to alter their payment frequency. Furthermore, for those about to claim their dwp state pension, specifying weekly payments from the outset is also a simple request.

This information comes at a crucial time, as State Pension and benefit amounts saw an increase on April 7th, 2025. While this uplift provides welcome financial support, it coincides with a rise in numerous household expenses, including energy bills, Council Tax, TV licenses, and communication costs. For many older individuals, particularly those transitioning from monthly salary payments, the four-weekly pension cycle can present budgeting challenges. Opting for weekly dwp state pension payments can offer a more manageable and predictable income stream.

Understanding the 2025/26 State Pension Increases

The recent uprating of the State Pension reflects the government’s commitment to supporting pensioners. For the 2025/26 financial year, individuals on the full New State Pension will see a significant increase in their weekly income. Payments have risen by £9.05 per week, climbing from £221.20 to £230.25. This translates to a four-weekly payment of £921, up from £884.80. Annually, this amounts to £11,973, an increase of £473.60 from the previous £11,502.

Similarly, those receiving the full Basic State Pension will also benefit from an uplift. Their weekly payments have increased by £6.95, moving from £169.50 to £176.45. This results in a four-weekly payment of £705.80, up from £678. The annual payment for the full Basic State Pension now stands at £9,175.40, an increase of £361.40 from £8,814.

Table 1: DWP State Pension Payments 2025/26

Payment Frequency	Full New State Pension	Full Basic State Pension
Weekly	£230.25	£176.45
Fortnightly	£460.50	£352.90
Four-Weekly	£921.00	£705.80
Annual	£11,973.00	£9,175.40

How to Switch to Weekly DWP State Pension Payments

According to former DWP employee Sandra Wrench, changing your dwp state pension payment frequency to weekly is a relatively simple process for those already receiving payments. She advises contacting the DWP change of circumstances (Pension Service) via telephone on 0800 731 0469 and explicitly requesting weekly payments.

Alternatively, individuals can make a written request. This should be addressed to:

The Pension Service
Post Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1AF

Your written request should clearly state your name, address, and National Insurance number, along with a request to change your dwp state pension payments to a weekly schedule.

For individuals who are yet to claim their dwp state pension, Mrs. Wrench recommends including a specific instruction in the information box on the State Pension claim form stating: “Please pay my pension weekly.”

The Budgeting Benefits of Weekly Payments

The standard four-weekly dwp state pension payment schedule doesn’t always align conveniently with monthly budgeting cycles, particularly for those who were previously paid their salaries at the end of each month. This can lead to difficulties in managing household expenses that often fall on a monthly basis.

As Sandra Wrench explains, “From your ‘budget point of view’ it may be easier to be paid weekly then you know exactly how much State Pension has been paid into your account each month. For some members of the public who are used to being paid their wages weekly, claiming a State Pension which is paid every four weeks, can cause problems financially and make it difficult for them to budget.”

This sentiment is echoed by financial experts. Back in 2021, BBC Radio 4 Money Box presenter and financial journalist Paul Lewis highlighted this very issue in the Radio Times. He pointed out that while the majority of pensioners are paid every four weeks in arrears, the option for weekly payments exists. He also noted a potential lack of transparency in the application process, stating that the form simply mentions “State Pension is usually paid every four weeks,” without explicitly presenting weekly payments as an alternative.

Future State Pension Increases

Looking ahead, the Labour Government has pledged to maintain the Triple Lock for the duration of its term, ensuring that the State Pension continues to rise in line with the highest of earnings growth, inflation, or 2.5%. Current projections indicate the following annual increases:

Table 2: Projected Annual State Pension Increases

Financial Year	Projected Increase
2025/26	4.1% (Confirmed)
2026/27	2.5%
2027/28	2.5%
2028/29	2.5%
2029/30	2.5%

These projected increases offer a degree of financial security for pensioners in the coming years.

DWP Encourages Pension Credit Checks

In addition to informing pensioners about their new payment rates for the 2025/26 financial year, the DWP has also been actively encouraging older individuals to check their eligibility for Pension Credit. This additional benefit can provide crucial financial support to those on a low income and can also unlock other entitlements, such as help with housing costs and heating bills.

FAQs on dwp state pension

Q1: I currently receive my DWP State Pension every four weeks. Can I change this to weekly payments?

Yes, if you are already receiving the New or Basic State Pension, you can request to change your payment frequency to weekly.

Q2: How do I request to receive my DWP State Pension weekly?

You can request weekly payments by calling the DWP change of circumstances (Pension Service) telephone number on 0800 731 0469. Alternatively, you can write to The Pension Service, Post Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1AF, including your name, address, and National Insurance number, and
ask for your State Pension payments to be changed to weekly. If you are yet to claim your State Pension, you can indicate on your claim form in the information box that you would like to be paid weekly.

Q3: Will changing my DWP State Pension to weekly affect the total amount of pension I receive?

No, changing the payment frequency does not affect the total annual amount of State Pension you are entitled to. It simply changes how often you receive the payments. For the 2025/26 financial year, the full New State Pension is £230.25 per week (equivalent to £921 every four weeks), and the full Basic State Pension is £176.45 per week (equivalent to £705.80 every four weeks).

Q4: Why might I want to change my DWP State Pension to weekly payments?

Changing to weekly payments can make it easier to budget for household bills, especially if you are accustomed to receiving income on a weekly basis. The standard four-weekly payment cycle doesn’t align with monthly budgeting, and weekly payments can provide a more consistent flow of income throughout the month.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Pension Payments

Understanding the available options for receiving your dwp state pension is key to managing your finances effectively. The ability to switch to weekly payments, while not always prominently advertised, can offer significant budgeting advantages for many pensioners.

By following the simple steps outlined by the former DWP employee, both current and future recipients of the dwp state pension can take control of their payment frequency and potentially improve their financial well-being. Don’t hesitate to contact the Pension Service to explore whether weekly payments are the right choice for you.

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