16 December 2023 , 07:00
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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:
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Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks
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Carer’s Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks
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Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks, or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits
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Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks
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Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks
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Income Support - Usually every two weeks
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Jobseeker’s Allowance - Usually every two weeks
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Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks
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Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks
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State Pension - Usually every four weeks
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Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly
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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:
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Call for free: 0800 328 9344
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Welsh speaking: 0800 012 1888
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Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Child Benefit:
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Call for free: 0300 200 3100
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Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086
Tax Credits:
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Call for free: 0345 300 3900
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From outside the UK: +44 2890 538 192
Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance:
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Call for free: 0800 169 0310
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Textphone: 0800 169 0314
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Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310