The GOVERNMENT has issued a reminder that payments will be distributed early to guarantee that no one is short of funds for Christmas and New Year’s.
Households receiving Universal Credit, child benefits, and tax credits are among those impacted.
Payments that would normally be due between December 25 and January 2 would be issued early, the administration stated.
So, if your payment date coincides with a bank holiday, you should expect to get it early.
You should get your money on the first working day before your scheduled payment date.
If you are scheduled to be paid on December 25, 26, and 27, your payment will be delivered on December 24 instead.
The New Year’s bank holiday will have an impact on payments as well.
If you are scheduled to get paid on January 1, the cash will arrive in your account on December 31.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC have announced that the following benefits would be affected:
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Disability living allowance
- Income support
- Jobseekers allowance
- Pension credit
- Personal independence payments (PIP)
- State pension
- Universal Credit
- Child benefit (paid by HMRC)
- Tax credits (paid by HMRC)
The amount you are paid will not change.
It will be the same as the previous month unless you have had a change in circumstances that has impacted the amount you are owed.
You can see a complete list of payment dates here.
Benefits Payment Date
| Payment Due Date | Universal Credit | Tax Credits | Child Benefit | Other Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 24 December | Tuesday, 24 December | – | – | Tuesday, 24 December |
| Wednesday, 25 December | Tuesday, 24 December | Tuesday, 24 December | – | Tuesday, 24 December |
| Thursday, 26 December | Tuesday, 24 December | Tuesday, 24 December | – | Tuesday, 24 December |
| Friday, 27 December | Friday, 27 December | Tuesday, 24 December | – | Tuesday, 24 December |
| Monday, 30 December | – | – | Tuesday, 31 December | – |
| Wednesday, 1 January | Tuesday, 31 December | Tuesday, 31 December | – | Tuesday, 31 December |
| Thursday, 2 January | Thursday, 2 January | Tuesday, 31 December | – | Tuesday, 31 December |
Remember that if you are paid early, you must make the most of it since you will have to wait an additional few days before your next paycheck.
If you anticipate not receiving your payment on time, double-check the date you are regularly paid and contact your bank.
If you want additional assistance, you must contact the DWP.
You may also complain to the DWP about any underpaid benefits.
Benefit Changes
Thousands of homes receiving old-style legacy benefits are being transitioned to Universal Credit via managed migration.
The government is moving two million people to Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
The overwhelming majority will have migrated by April 2025.
Following a successful trial in July 2019, the procedure began rolling out in May of last year.
Households are receiving letters informing them how to transition from their previous benefit to Universal Credit.
Once you get a letter, you have three months to switch or you will forfeit your present benefits.
Also See: DWP wants to reform benefits to cut costs, not help disabled people into work, court hears
