DWP and HMRC benefits will be paid over Christmas and New Year on these exact dates

James Rodger & Matthew Senior

26 November 2024 at 1:15 pm·2-min read

The Department for Work and Pensions — -Credit: (Image: John Stillwell/PA Wire)

The exact dates that millions of people will be paid benefits this Christmas and New Year have been revealed. People who claim Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and more will receive early payments.

If you are usually paid on December 25, 26 or 27 you will be paid on December 24 instead. That is because the last working day before the holidays is Tuesday, December 24.

The New Year bank holiday on January 1 also impacts benefit claimants. If you are due to receive your benefit on January 1, you will be paid on December 31 because that is the last working day before the New Year, reports BirminghamLive.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has stated that a total of 11 benefits will be impacted by the change. These include:

Attendance Allowance
Carer's Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Income Support
Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Pension Credit
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
State Pension
Universal Credit
Child Benefit (which is paid by HMRC)
Tax Credits (which is paid by HMRC)

It's important to note that the amount you receive will not change. Benefit payments will return to their usual dates in January, meaning those who receive it a day or two early in December will need to ensure their cash stretches a little further during the most expensive season.

The update comes shortly after the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed benefit increases for next year. The hikes will come into play from April 7, 2025, with the state pension seeing a 4.1 per cent increase due to the Triple Lock mechanism.

Other benefits including PIP, DLA and carer's allowance are expected to rise in line with September's inflation rates. These were recorded at 1.7 per cent.

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