Halifax has updated customers
Halifax customers who get Universal Credit have been told that their benefit money will still arrive as normal as accounts begin moving under the Lloyds name. The update follows questions from customers after Lloyds Banking Group confirmed it is planning to phase out the Halifax brand across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with branches and digital services gradually rebranded.
Some people have been concerned that a switch in branding could interrupt payments they rely on each month. The concern was highlighted by one Halifax customer on X, who asked what would happen if the Universal Credit system only held their existing Halifax details.
They wanted to know how the Department for Work and Pensions could keep paying them if their account was no longer classed as a Halifax account. Halifax replied directly, stressing that customers won’t be issued new details as part of the change, so payments should continue without any action needed.
Halifax responded: “If your Halifax account is moving to Lloyds, your Universal Credit payments will continue as normal as your account details will remain the same. Benefit payments have been considered as part of the transfer process.”
That message may come as a relief for households where a late Universal Credit payment can quickly lead to missed bills or other financial pressure.
What’s happening to Halifax accounts?
Under the plans, Halifax is being phased out as a brand in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with services and branches brought under the Lloyds identity over time. Crucially, Halifax says customers are not being given new account numbers or sort codes because of the transition. Existing account details will remain the same, and customers’ cards and PINs are also expected to stay unchanged.
The bank has said regular activity on accounts should carry on as normal too, including Direct Debits, standing orders and money paid in. That means people paid wages, pensions or benefits should not usually need to update an employer or organisation simply because the branding on their banking app or branch signage changes.
The shift is due to happen gradually, with customers moved onto Lloyds’ digital banking services as their accounts transfer. While the Halifax name is expected to disappear from branches and online services eventually, the underlying account details are set to remain in place.
For Universal Credit claimants, the key point is that payments should still be routed to the same account, despite the Lloyds branding. Halifax’s response also explicitly confirms that benefit payments were factored into the transfer process.
Customers are also being urged to stay alert for scams, with criminals sometimes taking advantage of high-profile changes to target account holders. Anyone receiving an unexpected message asking for bank details, requesting a transfer, or directing them to click a link should avoid acting on it and contact the bank using an official method instead.
