DWP benefit payments over Christmas and New Year as thousands to be paid early

16 December 2023 , 07:00

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DWP will pay people early over Christmas and New Year (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Thousands of people will get their benefits including Universal Credit paid early next week thanks to the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.

Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26) are both bank holidays and this year they fall on a Monday and Tuesday. If you're due a benefit payment on either of these day, then it is likely you'll be paid earlier than normal.

Some benefit payments due on Wednesday, December 27 or Thursday, December 28 may also be affected - we've explained which ones below. New Year's Day (January 1) is the next bank holiday and this also falls on a Monday. If you live in Scotland, there is an additional bank holiday on January 2, which is on a Tuesday this year.

Again, certain benefits may also be affected if they're due on Wednesday, January 3. 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 benefit payment on Monday, December 25 or Tuesday, December 26 then you should get paid on Friday, December 22 instead. Some benefit payments that aren't Universal Credit, including Tax Credits, will also be paid early if they're due on Wednesday, December 27. If you live in England and Scotland and you're due a Tax Credit payment on Thursday, December 28, 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: