MILLIONS of Brits on benefits can expect early payments next week because of Christmas.
The bank holidays over the festive season can change the dates the money hits bank accounts.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that early payments will be made next week for 12 benefits.
That includes Universal Credit, Child Benefit, and Personal Independence Payment.
Christmas falls on a Sunday this year followed by Boxing Day on a Monday.
That means payments usually made on these days will be paid earlier.
That’s because Boxing Day is a bank holiday anyway, and the 27th is a “substituted” bank holiday day for Christmas Day.
Any payments which are usually made on these dates will be made early – on Friday, December 23.
There are also changes over the New Year period, with further bank holidays.
Here we explain the changes and when you can expect your benefit payment.
What benefits are paid early this week because of Christmas?
The DWP has shared the full list of benefits that will be paid early because of Christmas.
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Tax Credits (such as Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit
How do I know if I get my benefits paid early?
Not everyone will get their benefit payments early – it depends on the date you usually get paid.
If you usually get paid on the 24th or 25th of each month you should receive your payment on December 23 as those dates fall on the weekend this year.
If you normally get paid benefits on the following dates, you’ll get the money early next week.
- Saturday December 24
- Sunday December 25
- Monday December 26
- Tuesday December 27
You’ll also get paid on December 23 if you would normally get your payment on Wednesday, December 28 – except for Universal Credit, which will still be paid on the normal day.
Tax credits payments usually made on the 29th of each month will be paid a day early in England and Scotland.
If you usually receive your benefits or state pension payment on the 2nd of each month as January 2, 2023, is a bank holiday.
If you usually get paid on this day, you’ll get it on December 30, 2022.
Universal Credit and benefits payments due on January 3 will receive them on time unless you live in Scotland where you’ll get them on December 30.
Those who receive Tax Credit on the 3rd of each month will receive their January payment on December 30.
Tax Credit claimants in England and Northern Ireland who are due to payments on January 4 will get them a day early.
Will my benefit payment amount change?
The amount you get paid shouldn’t change if you get paid early this week.
It will be the same as previous months, unless you’ve had a change of circumstances that affects how much you get at the same time.
You don’t need to do anything if your usual date for getting the state pension falls on a bank holiday.
Don’t forget that if you get paid early then you’ll have to make the money you get go further as you’ll have extra days to wait until your next payment date.
Don’t forget to include this when working out your household budget.
If your money is not paid on time, then you should double check the date you get paid normally and contact your bank before calling DWP.
If something’s not right, you can also submit a complaint to the DWP.
As temperatures continue to plummet, we’ve rounded up the full list of benefits claimants who can get the £25 cold weather payment.
Plus, here are 10 ways you can get free cash to help with energy bills this winter.
