Universal Credit is typically paid once a month, 7 days after the end of each monthly assessment period. After the first payment, which usually takes about five weeks from the claim date, subsequent payments are made on the same date each month. If the payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, the payment is made on the previous working day. In Scotland, claimants can opt to receive Universal Credit payments twice a month instead of monthly. In Northern Ireland, Universal Credit is normally paid twice a month, but recipients can request monthly payments instead. Housing costs can be included in the payment or paid directly to landlords, depending on circumstances. Thus, the standard payment frequency is monthly, but there are regional variations allowing for twice-monthly payments.