DWP benefit date changes confirmed for Christmas and New Year including Universal Credit and PIP

Some DWP benefit claimants will have their payments impacted during the festive period. Due to bank holidays, people will receive money earlier than usual.

Benefit payments due to land in bank accounts on bank holidays will instead be processed on the previous working day. This means in December, payments expected to be paid across December 25 and 26 will transferred on Christmas Eve. If you are due a payment on New Year's Day, your payment will be transferred to December 31.

With payments being paid earlier, it means recipients who receive it early in December will need to make sure their cash lasts a little longer before the next regular payment. Benefit recipients can verify which day their payments are due using the official government website.

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Claimants in Northern Ireland will also experience changes in payment dates. Those expecting Tax Credit payments on December 27 will receive them on December 24 instead, and those due Child Benefit on December 31 will receive the payment on December 30 instead.

What benefits will be impacted by the date changes?

• State pension

• Universal Credit

• Pension credit

• Personal independence payment

• Child benefit

• Disability living allowance

• Attendance allowance

• Carer’s allowance

• Employment support allowance

• Income support

• Jobseeker’s allowance

• Tax Credits

Earlier this year, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, confirmed benefit increases for 2025. These increases will begin from April 7, 2025, with the state pension seeing a 4.1% rise due to the Triple Lock mechanism. Other benefits including PIP, DLA and carer’s allowance are set to increase by the September.