Negotiating the expense of Christmas is always difficult, particularly for those reliant on pensions and benefits.
For people counting every penny, it is vital to know when money will arrive in their bank account.
Changes to State Pensions and benefits payments over Christmas and New Year have now been confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions ().
At the same time, and Social Security Scotland have already published revised payment schedules for the festive period.
said: “Our office opening hours are different over Christmas and New Year. To make sure people receive their payments on a day when our offices are open, arrangements have been made to make some payments early.”
Christmas and New Year payment dates
has confirmed payments due on December 25, 26 and 27 will be paid on Tuesday, December 24.
Payments due on January 1 will be paid on Tuesday, December 31, as will payments due on January 2 for people in Scotland only;
Full details on here –
benefits and payments that may be affected:
Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Carer’s Allowance
Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
payment date changes:
Payment due on Wednesday, December 25 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
Payment due on Thursday, December 26 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
Payment due on Friday, December 27 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
Payment due on Wednesday, January 1 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 31
Payment due on Thursday, January 2 (Scotland only) – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 31
changes to Tax Credits
Payments due on December 25, 26 and 27 will be paid on Tuesday, December 24.
Payments due on January 1 will be issued on Tuesday, December 31.
Full details on here –
Tax Credits payment date changes:
Payment due on Wednesday, December 25 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
Payment due on Thursday, December 26 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
Payment due on Friday, December 27 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
Payment due on Wednesday, January 1 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 31
Payments due on January 1 will be paid on Tuesday, December 31 (Image: Getty)
Christmas and New Year Jobcentre Plus opening times
England and Wales
Monday, December 23 – Offices are open as usual, phone lines are open until 4pm
Tuesday, December 24 – Offices are open as usual, phone lines are open until 4pm
Wednesday, December 25 – Offices and phone lines are closed
Thursday, December 26 – Offices and phone lines are closed
Friday, December 27 – Offices and phone lines are closed
Monday, December 30 – Offices are open as usual, phone lines are open until 4pm
Tuesday, December 31 – Offices are open as usual, phone lines are open until 4pm
Wednesday, January 1 – Offices and phone lines are closed
Thursday, January 2 – Offices are open as usual, phone lines are open until 4pm
Friday, January 3 – Offices are open as usual, phone lines are open until 4pm