Benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are usually paid on a regular basis directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
However, if your payment date falls on a weekend or a Bank Holiday you will usually be paid on the first working day before, although this may be different for people claiming Tax Credits or Child Benefit.
And while Christmas and New Year are still a few weeks away - seven, for anyone counting - it’s essential to know exactly what money you’ll have going in and when, especially over the festive period when government offices and banks may be closed.
The DWP is responsible for administering a number of benefits including Universal Credit, legacy benefits, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and State Pension.
They also make sure claimants get their payment at the correct time, by informing them of any potential changes to their regular schedule.
Bank holidays during the festive season can affect when many claimants receive their usual payment, however, although the DWP has yet to confirm if payment dates will be revised this Christmas and New Year, there’s a strong chance they will as December 25 and 26 fall on a Saturday and Sunday this year.
This means that Monday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 28 will be classed as Bank Holidays, similarly Monday, January 3 and Tuesday, January 4 (Scotland only) will also be classed as Bank Holidays.
HMRC has already updated its relevant pages on GOV.UK for Tax Credits and Child Benefit payments over Christmas and New Year.
Tax Credit 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
- Payment due on Tuesday, January 4: Payment will be made on Friday, December 31 (Scotland only)
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
Possible DWP payment dates during Christmas and New Year
The DWP has not confirmed festive payment dates yet, but they are expected to follow HMRC revised guidelines.
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)
Estimated payment dates
- 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
More information on Bank Holiday can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
Get the latest money saving and benefits news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our weekly Money newsletter here.
