Thousands of individuals expecting benefits like Universal Credit will experience changes in their payment schedules next month due to the upcoming Christmas and New Year bank holidays.
With Christmas falling on a Thursday and Boxing Day on a Friday this year, benefit payments slated for these days are likely to be disbursed on Wednesday, December 24 instead. Similarly, as New Year’s Day, another bank holiday, lands on a Thursday, payments scheduled for that day should arrive on Wednesday, December 31.
While the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has not officially confirmed the exact timetable for these holiday payments, it typically follows this pattern in previous years.
It is crucial to note that if you receive your payment earlier, you will need to budget carefully to cover the extended period until your next payment arrives.
The frequency of benefit payments varies depending on the type of benefit claimed. For instance, Universal Credit is typically paid on a fixed monthly date, while Tax Credits are commonly disbursed every four weeks or weekly. Child Benefit payments usually occur every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday.
In case you do not receive your expected benefit payment, verify the date on your award notice and bank account first. If the payment remains missing, contact the relevant helpline, bearing in mind that these services may not be available on bank holidays.