Christmas is, mercifully, nearly here. A time when we can rest up, recuperate, reconnect with family, and recharge ahead of the new year.
However, it's not a walk in the park for everyone: some will need to work around Christmas, while others will be anxious of money. Christmas is notably not a cheap time of year, of course, and for those with the least money, it could be especially tough this year: amid a cost of living crisis, the government went ahead with a cut to universal credit this autumn.
A Christmas benefit bonus won't go especially far in making up for that £20 per week loss, but at least it's something. But what about the regular DWP payment dates for Christmas 2021?
READ MORE: Bristol mum says she's being pushed into poverty as benefit cut
This year, Christmas falls on a Saturday and Boxing Day on Sunday. This means that both Monday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 28 will both be official Bank Holidays this year.
And so according to the Government's website, anyone who usually receives their UC payment on those dates will get their money on the Friday before Christmas Day which this year is Christmas Eve.
Christmas 2021 universal credit payment dates
Due Date Payment Date
| 27 December 2021 | 24 December |
| 28 December 2021 | 24 December |
3 January 2022 |
31 December |
Child Benefit payment dates over Christmas and New Year
- Payment due on Monday, December 27: Payment will be made on Friday, December 24
- Payment due on Tuesday, December 28: Payment will be made on Friday, December 24
- Payment due on Monday, January 3: Payment will be made on Friday, December 31
DWP payment dates during Christmas and New Year
The DWP has confirmed festive payment dates and also offered advice to Universal Credit claimants.
it said: "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.
The amount that you receive and how you're paid should remain the same which also means that future payments shouldn't be affected.
However, receiving the payment early does mean, similar to receiving wages, that the time until the next payment will be further away and so the money will have to last a little longer.
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