Nobody needs reminding that the UK is in the midst of a cost of living crisis. Money is tight for everyone and, for those planning for Christmas, the date that any Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HMRC payments come through is essential reading, especially as a series of bank holidays means that payment dates will be shifted.
This year, the first December bank holiday is Christmas Day, and December 25 falls on a Sunday for 2022. Boxing Day, also a bank holiday, is therefore on Monday. With this is mind, the official bank holiday for Christmas Day will be taken on Tuesday, December 27. Likewise, New Year's Day falls on Sunday, January 1, so the bank holiday will be assigned to Monday, January 2.
So, what does that all mean for benefit payments? Well, there is good news. According to the government's website, "if there is a bank holiday anywhere in the UK your payment may be early".
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If, for instance, you usually get paid on the 26, 27 or 28 of the month, you should expect payment in December to be moved forward to Friday, December 23. Those who usually get paid on the 29 of the month, though, only get payments a day early. They should expect money to land in their accounts on Wednesday, December 28.
Heading into the New Year, if you usually receive your payment on the 2nd or 3rd of the month, your money will be landing pre-New Year on Friday, December 30. If the 4th is your usual payment date then expect payment a day early on Tuesday, January 3 (unless you're resident in Scotland or Wales where different dates may apply).
Payment dates at a glance
Due date Payment date change due to the bank holiday
| 26 December 2022 | 23 December |
| 27 December 2022 | 23 December |
| 28 December 2022 | 23 December |
| 29 December 2022 | 28 December - England and Scotland only |
| 2 January 2023 | 30 December |
| 3 January 2023 | 30 December |
| 4 January 2023 | 3 January - England and Northern Ireland only |
Payment dates should either fall on the date you usually receive payment or earlier. However, if your payment is late, check the payment date on your award notice and contact your bank before calling HMRC.
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