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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that State Pension and benefit payments due around Christmas and New Year will be made earlier due to the bank holidays. This affects payments falling on Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25), Boxing Day (Friday, December 26), and New Year's Day (Thursday, January 1).
DWP Payment Adjustments
Payments due on Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day) and Friday, December 26 (Boxing Day) will be paid on Tuesday, December 23.
Payments due on Thursday, January 1 (New Year's Day) will be paid on Wednesday, December 31.
Universal Credit Specific Dates
| Payment Due On | Will Be Paid On |
| Thursday, December 25 | Wednesday, December 24 |
| Friday, December 26 | Wednesday, December 24 |
| Thursday, January 1 | Wednesday, December 31 |
Note: Payments due on Wednesday, December 24 and Friday, January 2 (outside Scotland) are scheduled to be paid on their normal date.
Scotland-Only Adjustments
Because of the January 2nd bank holiday in Scotland, payments due on that day will also be made early. This applies to both DWP benefits and payments from Social Security Scotland.
DWP & Social Security Scotland payments due on Friday, January 2 will be paid on Wednesday, December 31.
Child Benefit
No changes for most Child Benefit recipients as Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a Thursday and Friday, and HMRC normally issues payments on Mondays and Tuesdays.
However, parents/guardians in Scotland who are due a payment on Monday, January 5 will receive it a day later on Tuesday, January 6.
Affected Payments Summary
These changes apply to DWP benefits including:
Universal Credit
State Pension and Pension Credit
Disability benefits (DLA, PIP, Attendance Allowance)
Carer’s Allowance
ESA, Income Support, and JSA
The Social Security Scotland payments affected by the earlier payment dates include Adult Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment, and Scottish Child Payment, among others.
