The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed when Universal Credit will be paid over the Christmas period.
Around six million people across the UK claim vital financial support thanks to Universal Credit, which replaced many of the older legacy benefits back in 2013.
You can read more about what Universal Credit is and how to apply here.
But with Christmas now fast approaching and the recent cut to the top-up, many will be wondering when they can expect to get their all-important payments for that period.
Here's what you need to know about when you'll receive your benefits over the festive season.
Universal Credit is not paid out on weekends or bank holidays, meaning people are often paid at different times during Christmas and New Year.
This year Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day all fall on weekends, meaning the scheduled bank holidays are pushed out to the week after.
This will affect your payments differently, depending on when your usual payment date is.
If your Universal Credit payment is due on December 25, 26, 27 or 28, you will instead receive it on Friday, December 24 (Christmas Eve).
If you are due to be paid on January 1, 2 or 3, you will be paid on Friday, December 31 (New Year's Eve).
You don't need to do anything to get your payment on these dates - it should be made earlier automatically.
However, if you believe you should have received your Universal Credit but have not, you should contact the helpline on 0800 328 5644 or through your online account. You can read more about that here.
The amount you receive should remain the same over Christmas, but receiving the payment early does mean that the time until the next payment will be further away and so the money will have to last longer.
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