Dates may shift around over the festive period due to bank holidays. People should check if money will arrive sooner or later than expected.
With Christmas just a few weeks away, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has already issued online guidance to everyone claiming benefits about how the payment dates will differ. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), however, has yet to announce any changes to the State Pension and benefits, typically confirming such changes closer to the date.
These usually align with the payment schedule set by other government agencies. This is due to the fact that offices, web services, and telephone lines generally close on the same days during the festive period.
The DWP ensures that State Pension or benefits payments are made on a day when offices are open. This allows people to speak with an advisor if they encounter any issues.
There will be no changes to payment dates for those receiving Child Benefit this year. This is because Christmas Day falls on a Thursday and Boxing Day on a Friday – and HMRC payments are only made on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The same schedule applies for the following week for New Year. However, parents and guardians in Scotland who are due a Child Benefit payment on Monday, January 5, will receive it a day later on Tuesday, January 6, reports the Daily Record.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are both recognised as Bank Holidays across Scotland, England, and Wales. New Year’s Day is also a bank holiday throughout the UK, but only Scotland observes January 2 as a Bank Holiday.
HMRC payment date changes
HMRC has confirmed there will be no changes to Child Benefit Payment dates over Christmas and New Year. You can see the full list of payment date changes for next year on GOV.UK.
The only change will affect parents and guardians in Scotland. Payment due on Monday, January 5 will be paid into bank account on Tuesday, January 6.
DWP payment date changes (to be confirmed)
While the DWP has not announced any changes yet, it is expected to follow the same payment pattern listed above. Once this has been confirmed, we will update this article.
Some dates still need to be confirmed by the DWP (Image: Getty)
DWP benefits and payments that may be affected:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Possible DWP payment date changes (to be confirmed):
Christmas
- Payment due on Thursday December 25 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 23
- Payment due on Friday December 26 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 23
New Year
- Payment due on Thursday January 1 – paid into bank account on Wednesday, December 31
