Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year which means Boxing Day is on a Monday, however, the bank holiday status for that date has been moved to Tuesday, December 27. This means that benefits and payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) which are due on those dates may be made earlier.
Payments affected by bank holidays are typically made on the first working day before, which would be Friday, December 23. As the cost of living crisis continues to bite into household budgets - more-so now as energy bills are rising due to the colder weather and increased usage - it’s important to know exactly what money you have coming in and when, especially over the festive period when government offices and phone lines may be closed.
While DWP has yet to confirm changes to payment dates over the festive fortnight for State Pension and benefits including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance, it’s just a matter of time before they do so.
However, HMRC has already updated its relevant pages on GOV.UK for Tax Credits and Child Benefit payments over Christmas and New Year.
Tax Credit payment dates over Christmas and New Year
These payment date changes affect people receiving Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits.
Christmas
- Payment due on Monday, December 26: Payment will be made on Friday, December 23
- Payment due on Tuesday, December 27: Payment will be made on Friday, December 23
- Payment due on Wednesday, December 28: Payment will be made on Friday, December 23
- Payment due on Thursday, December 29: Payment will be made on Wednesday, December 28 (Scotland and England only)
New Year
- Payment due on Monday, January 2: Payment will be made on Friday, December 30
- Payment due on Tuesday, January 3: Payment will be made on Friday, December 30
- Payment due on Wednesday, January 4: Payment will be made on Tuesday, January 3 (England and Northern Ireland only)
Child Benefit payment dates over Christmas
These payment date changes affect people receiving Child Benefit or Guardian's Allowance. No payment date changes over New Year have been announced yet - find out more here.
Christmas
- Payment due on Monday, December 26: Payment will be made on Friday, December 23
- Payment due on Tuesday, December 27: Payment will be made on Friday, December 23
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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