Will you get paid before Christmas? Know confirmed dates by DWP for Universal Credit, PIP, and others

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have announced the Christmas payment dates for Universal Credit, PIP, and other benefits throughout the Christmas and New Year period. The Express has reported that all benefit payments affected by the seasonal bank holidays will be made by Friday, December 23rd. Below are the details on payment changes due to Christmas and new year.

Changes in payment dates, due to Christmas Holiday

Payment will be made on December 23rd for all payments due on Monday, December 26th, or on Tuesday, December, 27th. This includes Child Benefits payments too.

Universal Credit payments that are due on Wednesday, December 28th will not be affected and will be paid as normal. However other DWP payments that are due on December 28th, will be made on Friday, December 23rd.


If you are an eligible claimant of an extra £10 on top of your usual benefit, you should contact the relevant department in case you do not receive your benefit in the qualifying week of December.

Changes in payment dates, due to New Year

All payments including the Child Benefit payments that were due on Monday, January 2, and January 3rd, will now be made on Friday, December 30.



For those receiving, Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits, All payments due on Monday, January 2 will be made on Friday, December 30.

Payment due on Wednesday, January 4th will be made on Tuesday, January 3rd (for England and Northern Ireland only)
Payments due on Tuesday, January 3, will not be affected and will be made as normal, except in the case of Scotland, where they will be made on Friday, December 30.

Beneficiaries are advised to inform the office that pays their benefit if they do not get their payment on the day it’s scheduled.

FAQs:

1. How can you get child benefits?
   Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before. This may be different for tax credits and child benefits.
2. What is DWP?
   ‘The Department of work and pensions’ (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department it administers the State Pension and a range of working-age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers.