The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the Christmas payment dates for benefit claimants.
Most benefits are paid once a month, usually into your bank, building society or credit union account. If your payment is due on a bank holiday, you will usually be paid on the last working day before the holiday.
However, this can change if the payment date falls on a bank holiday. The countdown to Christmas is on with December 25 just less than two weeks away. Christmas Day arrives on a Sunday this year, which means Boxing Day is on Monday and the bank holiday moves to Tuesday, December 27.
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According to the Express, this means benefit payments affected by the seasonal bank holidays will arrive on Friday, December 23.
Both DWP and HMRC have now confirmed changes to payment dates over Christmas and New Year for the state pension and benefits including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Child Benefit and Tax Credits.
Some payments will be made earlier if they’re due between December 26, 2022 and January 3, 2023. People should tell the office that pays your benefit if they do not get their payment on the day it’s scheduled.
Christmas payment date changes
All payments due on Monday, December 26 will be made on Friday, December 23
All payments due on Tuesday, December 27 will be made on Friday, December 23
Universal Credit payments due on Wednesday, December 28 will be paid as normal
Other DWP payments due on Wednesday, December 28 will be made on Friday, December 23
New Year payment date changes
All payments due on Monday, January 2 will be made on Friday, December 30
All payments due on Tuesday, January 3 will be made as normal except in Scotland where they will arrive on Friday, December 30.
Child Benefit payment dates over Christmas
These payment date changes affect people receiving Child Benefit or Guardian's Allowance.
Christmas
Payments due on Monday, December 26 will be made on Friday, December 23
Payments due on Tuesday, December 27 will be made on Friday, December 23
New Year
Payments due on Monday, January 2 will be made on Friday, December 30
These payment date changes affect people receiving Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits.
Christmas
Payments due on Monday, December 26 will be made on Friday, December 23
Payments due on Tuesday, December 27 will be made on Friday, December 23
Payments due on Wednesday, December 28 will be made on Friday, December 23
Payments due on Thursday, December 29 will be made on Wednesday, December 28 (Scotland and England only)
New Year
Payments due on Monday, January 2 will be made on Friday, December 30
Payments due on Tuesday, January 3 will be made on Friday, December 30
Payments due on Wednesday, January 4 will be made on Tuesday, January 3 (England and Northern Ireland only)
Christmas bonus
Eligible claimants will get an extra £10 on top of their usual benefits. It is paid to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week. This is normally the first full week of December. If someone thinks they should receive the bonus but don’t get it, they should contact the relevant Job Centre or Pension Centre that issues their payments.
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