Many benefit claimants may receive their payments earlier than expected next week. Benefit payments from both the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will be affected by some key dates during the festive period.
When a payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Pension Credit and Personal Independent Payment are typically dispatched early. Over the Christmas period, several bank holidays will affect payment dates. This year, Christmas Day is on a Wednesday and Boxing Day, a bank holiday, is on Thursday.
The following week, there’s also a bank holiday on Wednesday, January 1, for New Year’s Day. Here’s what you need to know about how benefit payment dates will change over Christmas and New Year.
The frequency and date of your payments depend on the type of benefits you claim. For instance, Universal Credit is paid monthly on the same day.
Tax Credits are usually paid by HMRC every four weeks or weekly, and Child Benefit is typically paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.
Some of the benefits that will be affected include:
If you’re affected by any payment changes next week, you won’t be required to take any action. Any and all benefits from the DWP or HMRC will still be paid to you automatically, furthermore, your following payment dates should remain unaffected as long as they don’t fall on another bank holiday.
The amount you’re due to receive will also remain unchanged unless there have been alterations to your personal circumstances. Benefits are typically deposited directly into your bank, building society or credit union account.
If you do not receive your payment on the scheduled day, you should inform the office that issues your benefit.