DWP payment date changes over Christmas for anyone on these 12 benefits

UK households claiming any of these 12 benefits are being warned that payments will arrive in bank accounts earlier than normal this month.

The () has announced that benefits due to be paid between December 25, 2024 and January 2, 2025 will be made early due to and .

The says that the earlier payment is to ensure benefits claimants get the support that they need over Christmas, but households are warned that it may affect how they budget their spending in the following month.

claimants that are due to receive their payment on Wednesday, December 25, will now get it on Tuesday, December 24 instead. And those due to receive their payment on Wednesday, January 1 will instead get paid on Tuesday, December 31.

All other benefits will also be made early, as well as and Tax Credits which are paid by ().

The has confirmed the following breakdown of payment dates over Christmas and New Year:

Universal Credit

• If you’re payment is due on Wednesday, December 25, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 24

• If you’re payment is due on Thursday, December 26, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 24

• If you’re payment is due on Wednesday, January 1, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 31

All other DWP benefits

• If you’re payment is due on Wednesday, December 25, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 24

• If you’re payment is due on Thursday, December 26, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 24

• If you’re payment is due on Friday, December 27, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 24

• If you’re payment is due on Wednesday, January 1, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 31

• If you’re payment is due on Thursday, January 2, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 31

Tax Credits

• If you’re payment is due on Wednesday, December 25, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 24

• If you’re payment is due on Thursday, December 26, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 24

• If you’re payment is due on Friday, December 27, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 24

• If you’re payment is due on Wednesday, January 1, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 31

• If you’re payment is due on Thursday, January 2, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 31

Child Benefit

• If you’re payment is due on Monday, December 30, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 31

The change in payment dates means that claimants will have to make their money last a bit longer until their next payment arrives in January next year. You don’t need to do anything if your payment date changes in December, as your money will be paid straight into your usual bank, building society or credit union account.

If you aren’t sure when your payment usually falls, here’s a reminder of how often the following benefits are paid by the and :

• Universal Credit – paid every month

• Pension Credit – usually paid every four weeks

• Disability Living Allowance – usually paid every four weeks

• Personal Independence Payment – usually paid every four weeks

• – paid every four weeks

• Carer’s Allowance – paid weekly in advance or every four weeks

• Employment Support Allowance – usually paid every two weeks

• Income Support – usually paid every two weeks

• Jobseeker’s Allowance – usually paid every two weeks

• Maternity Allowance – paid every two or four weeks

• Child Benefit (paid by ) – usually paid every four weeks, or weekly if you’re a single parents or you or your partner get certain benefits

• Tax Credits (paid by ) – paid every four weeks or weekly