Payment dates for those receiving benefits will change in Decemeber due to the Christmas holidays.
So if you're entitled to benefits including Universal Credit you may receive your December payment on different date than usual.
The amended date however depends on the type of benefit and not everyone will be affected.
Universal Credit payments are usually made in Northern Ireland twice per month. The benefit, which replaced many previous welfare payments, will be affected by the upcoming festive period.
This means that some recipients will see payments in their accounts earlier than they're due - if they fall on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day:
Christmas payments
DfC benefit payments that are due to credit on:
25 December 2019
26 December 2019
27 December 2019
Will be paid on 24 December 2019.
New Year payments
DfC benefit payments that are due to credit on:
01 January 2020
Will be paid on 31st December 2019.
If they don't arrive when expected
It's important to note that the Department will not be available on the bank holidays themselves so it's important to get in touch on the working day beforehand - which should be the revised payment date itself.
Available helpline numbers for the various affected benefits include:
- Universal Credit help on 0800 328 5644.
- The Pension Service on 0800 731 0469.
- JSA, Income-support, Incapacity Benefit or ESA help on 0800 169 0310.
- Child Benefit assistance on 0300 200 3100.
- JSA, Income-support, Incapacity Benefit or ESA help on 0800 169 0310.
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