The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced changes to State Pensions and benefits over the Christmas and New Year period for those who receive payments on specific days.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has already posted online guidance regarding changes to benefit payment dates, with DWP now following suit.
State Pension and benefit payments that fall on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day will be affected by the festive period.
This is because offices, web services and telephone lines typically shut on these days over the festive fortnight, and DWP and HMRC aims to ensure payments are made on a day when offices are open so that claimants can consult an advisor if needed.
There will be no changes to payment dates for those receiving Child Benefit this year as Christmas Day lands on a Thursday and Boxing Day on a Friday.
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day are bank holidays throughout England, Scotland and Wales, while January 2 is also a bank holiday in Scotland only.
You can see the altered payment dates for the festive season below, and you can also find all the details on GOV.UK.
DWP benefits and payments 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 payment date changes
Universal Credit payment dates over Christmas:
Payment due on:
- Wednesday, December 24 - no change
- Thursday, December 25 - paid on Wednesday, December 24
- Friday, December 26 - paid on Wednesday, December 24
Universal Credit payment dates over New Year:
Payment due on:
- Thursday, January 1 - paid on Wednesday, December 31
- Friday, January 2 - no change
Other DWP benefit and State Pension payment dates
Christmas payments due on:
- Wednesday, December 24 - paid on Tuesday, December 23
- Thursday, December 25 - paid on Tuesday, December 23
- Friday, December 26 - paid on Tuesday, December 23
New Year payments due on:
- Thursday, January 1 - paid on Wednesday, December 31
