Millions of individuals will receive their benefit payments ahead of schedule this week from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Various benefits such as Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, and the state pension may be affected based on the usual payment dates. If your payment is due on Thursday, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day, you can expect to receive it earlier on Christmas Eve as DWP payments are not processed on bank holidays.
In case you receive your payment early, it is advisable to budget accordingly until the next payment cycle. For those expecting benefits on Thursday, January 1, the payment is likely to be made on Wednesday, December 31 instead.
If there are any delays in receiving your benefit payment, it is recommended to reach out to the relevant office online, by phone, or visit your local JobCentre once they reopen. Note that helplines will be closed on bank holidays, and services will resume on the next working day.
Most benefits are distributed by the DWP, while Tax Credits and Child Benefit are managed by HMRC. Child Benefit payments, typically scheduled for Mondays and Tuesdays, should not be impacted by Christmas bank holidays.
A comprehensive list of common benefit payments and their regular payment frequencies can be found below.
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