Some benefit recipients may find their payments disrupted by bank holidays (Image: GETTY)
The festive season is set to potentially disrupt the routine for benefit recipients as some payments will be impacted by the bank holidays next month.
This means that while most people will receive their cash a bit earlier than usual, they’ll also have to stretch it a bit further until normal payments resume in January.
Benefit payments that are due on bank holidays will instead be paid on the first working day prior. So, any payments due to land on December 25 and 26 will be made on December 24 instead.
Moreover, if your benefit payment is expected on January 1, you’ll receive it on December 31 due to New Year’s Day.
Benefit recipients can verify which day their payments are due using the .
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Claimants in Northern Ireland will also experience some changes in payment dates.
Those expecting Tax Credit payments on December 27 will also receive them on December 24 instead, and those due Child Benefit on December 31st will receive the money on December 30 instead.
These shifting payment days will affect the vast majority of benefits including:
- Universal Credit
- Pension credit
- Personal independence payment
- Child benefit
- Disability living allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Employment support allowance
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance
- Tax Credits
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These benefits will be paid on their usual dates in January. This means those who receive their benefits a day or 2 early in December will need to ensure their money lasts a bit longer during the priciest season.
The news follows shortly after the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed benefit increases for the upcoming year. These increases are set to kick in from April 7, 2025, with the seeing a 4.1% rise due to the mechanism.
Other benefits such as PIP, DLA and carer’s allowance are set to increase by the September inflation levels, which were recorded at 1.7%.