DWP benefits including Universal Credit to be paid early in huge shake-up

13 November 2023 , 11:24

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Christmas and New Year bank holidays may affect your benefit payments (Image: Getty Images/Tetra images RF)

Thousands of people will see their benefits paid early next month due to several bank holidays over Christmas and New Year.

Christmas Day (December 25) is on a Monday this year, with Boxing Day (December 26) falling on the Tuesday. As always, these days are classed as bank holidays - so if you're due a benefit payment on either day, then it is likely you'll be paid earlier than normal.

Tax Credit claimants will also see their benefits affected if they're due a payment on Wednesday, December 27 or Thursday, December 28. The next bank holiday then falls on New Year's Day (January 1) which is on a Monday. If you live in Scotland, there is an additional bank holiday on January 2, which falls on Tuesday this year.

Tax Credit claimants will also be paid early if they normally get a payment on Tuesday, January 2, or Wednesday, January 3. Benefit payments are not normally paid or processed on bank holidays as many businesses, companies and Government staff are off that day. Being paid early may sound great, but it means you'll need to make your money last longer as you'll have a bigger gap until your next benefit payment.

Benefit payment dates over Christmas and New Year

If you are expecting a payment on Monday, December 25 or Tuesday, December 26 then you should expect to receive your money one working day earlier on Friday, December 22 instead. Tax Credit claimants who are normally paid on Wednesday, December 27, will also be paid on Friday, December 22. If you live in England and Scotland and you're due a Tax Credit payment on Thursday, December 28, then you'll be paid on Wednesday, December 27.

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If you're due a benefit payment on Monday, January 1, then you should be paid on Friday, December 29. Tax Credit claimants who are normally paid on Tuesday, January 2, will also be paid on Friday, December 29. If you live in England or Northern Ireland and you're due a Tax Credit payment on Wednesday, January 3, then the money should hit your bank account on Tuesday, January 2.

If you're due to be paid on a different day, you won't need to do anything - the money will be paid into your account as normal. The amount you get will also remain the same and it will also be paid into the same account you normally receive your benefit payment.

When are benefits normally paid?

How often you get paid your benefit depends on what type of support you claim. For example, you’ll get paid Universal Credit on the same day each month, while Tax Credits are typically paid every four weeks or weekly.

Child Benefit is usually every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. See the full list of how often certain benefits are paid below:

Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks
Carer’s Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks
Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks, or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits
Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks
Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks
Income Support - Usually every two weeks
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Jobseeker’s Allowance - Usually every two weeks
Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks
Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks
State Pension - Usually every four weeks
Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly
Universal Credit - Every month

What should I do if I don't get paid?

If your expecting a payment and it doesn't arrive, you should contact the relevant helpline. Do keep in mind Jobcentres and phone lines will be closed on all three bank holidays, so you'll need to call after these days.

Universal Credit: