Payment dates for benefits including Universal Credit confirmed for festive period

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Anyone who was due to receive their payment on 26 or 27 December will receive their payment early on Friday 23 December

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed the dates that people receiving benefits will be paid over the Christmas and New Year period. 

With Christmas Day falling on a Sunday this year, Monday 26 December and Tuesday 27 December will be bank holidays.

This means anyone who was due to receive their payment on 26 or 27 December will receive their payment early on Friday 23 December.

In addition, if your expected payment date is Wednesday 28 December, you will receive your payment early on Friday 23 December. If you are in receipt of Universal Credit that will be paid on 28 December as usual.

With New Year also falling on a weekend, the bank holiday will be on Monday 2 January, and those who are due to receive their payment on 2 January will receive their payment early on Friday 30 December.

All other payment dates are not affected and you will receive your money as usual.

Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP said: “Our benefit system offers a vital safety net to millions of people and will continue to provide essential support over the festive period.

“We are bringing forward payment dates to ensure customers have their benefits in advance, taking account of the upcoming bank holidays.”

The list of payments affected include: 

• 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
• Universal Credit
• Tax credits (such as Working Tax Credit)