The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced Jobcentre Plus opening hours will be changing over this week and next due to the New Year bank holidays, however, to make sure people receive their benefits or State Pension on a day when offices are open, arrangements have also been made to make some payments early.
The changes will affect those due to receive Universal Credit, State Pension, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and other DWP-delivered payments on certain dates in December and January.
The DWP has also confirmed that monthly-paid Universal Credit claimants who have two payments in one assessment period as a result of an early payment “do not need to worry”.
It said: “Thanks to changes we made to the rules, they can have the second payment moved to another assessment period. This ensures stability for claimants when receiving their benefit.
“When two monthly payments are received in one assessment period claimants should report it to their work coach.”
Below is everything you need to know about Jobcentre Plus opening hours and DWP or HMRC payments due to be paid between now and January 4.
Jobcentre Plus opening hours over New Year
If you have a query about your payment and need to contact your Jobcentre Plus, these are the opening hours across Scotland.
- Wednesday, December 29 - offices and phone lines are open as usual
- Thursday, December 30 - offices and phone lines are open as usual
- Friday, December 31 - offices and phone lines are open as usual
- Saturday, January 1 - offices and phone lines are closed
- Sunday, January 2 - offices and phone lines are closed
- Monday, January 3 - offices and phone lines are closed
- Tuesday, January 4 - offices are closed. Phone lines are open for missing or urgent payments only
Jobcentre Plus offices will open as usual from Wednesday, January 5.
DWP payment dates over New Year
DWP benefits that may be affected:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
DWP festive payment dates
Payment due on Wednesday, December 29: Universal Credit claimants will be paid on December 29, all other benefits should have been paid on Friday, December 24
- Payment due on Monday, January 3: Payment will be made on Friday, December 31
Payment due on Tuesday, January 4: Payment will be made on Friday, December 31 for all Scottish claimants and January 4 for the rest of the UK
Tax Credit payment dates over New Year
- Payment due on Monday, January 3: Payment will be made on Friday, December 31
- Payment due on Tuesday, January 4: Payment will be made on Friday, December 31 (Scotland only)
Child Benefit payment dates over New Year
- Payment due on Monday, January 3: Payment will be made on Friday, December 31
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