DWP payment date changes for Universal Credit, State Pension and more over Christmas and New Year
Benefit payment dates will be disrupted for certain claimants due to three upcoming Bank Holidays
Claimants should check their benefit account or online journal for expected dates (Image: Getty Images)
As the festive season approaches, millions of people across the UK who receive payments from the DWP and HMRC should be aware of changes to benefit and pension payment dates over Christmas and the New Year. Bank holiday dates at the end of the year will mean payments are adjusted.
The next upcoming bank holidays for England and Wales are Christmas Day on December 25, followed by Boxing Day on December 26 and New Year’s Day on January 1. Christmas Day falls on a Thursday this year, with Boxing Day on the Friday and New Year’s Day on a Thursday.
When a scheduled payment date falls on a bank holiday or a weekend, the DWP makes that payment on the last working day before the holiday. This applies to Universal Credit, State Pensions, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Carer’s Allowance and other regular benefits.
That means if you are due a benefits payment on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, it is likely you will be paid on Wednesday, December 24 instead as benefits payments are not sent out on bank holidays. Payments that would usually arrive on Thursday, January 1 will be made on Wednesday, December 31.
For many Universal Credit claimants and State Pensioners, this means seeing your payment before the main festive holidays. While an early payment can be useful ahead of the holidays, pensioners should be aware that it may mean a slightly longer gap until the next payment in January. If you’re unsure of your exact date, your online journal or account will show the updated schedule.
This adjustment also applies to other benefits still in payment, such as Income Support, ESA and JSA, though most claimants have now transferred onto Universal Credit as part of the DWP’s ongoing migration from “legacy” benefits.
To avoid confusion, claimants should check your benefit account or online journal for expected dates over the festive period. It’s important to also note that payments moved earlier will not affect the amount you receive.
DWP offices and phone lines have reduced opening hours over Christmas and New Year, and urgent enquiries may take longer to resolve.
When are benefits normally paid?
How often you get paid depends on what type of benefit 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. You can 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
- 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 if I don’t get paid?
If you don’t get your benefit payment when you expected to, first check double-check the date on your award notice and your bank account.
If you’ve got the right date, and the money isn’t there, you should contact the relevant helpline. Do keep in mind these are unlikely to be open on bank holidays.
Universal Credit:
- Call for free: 0800 328 5644
- Welsh speaking: 0800 328 1744
- Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 328 5644
Child Benefit:
- Call for free: 0300 200 3100
- Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086
Tax Credits:
- Call HMRC for free: 0345 300 3900
- From outside the UK: +44 2890 538 192
Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance:
- Call for free: 0800 169 0310
- Textphone: 0800 169 0314
- Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 169 0310
