Millions of households across the UK are being urged to take note of significant changes to their benefit and state pension payment schedules next month. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the upcoming Christmas and New Year bank holidays will affect when money lands in accounts.
Revised Payment Dates for December and January
With around 24 million people claiming DWP support, including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and the state pension, it is crucial to be aware of the adjusted timetable. If your usual payment date falls on a bank holiday, you will receive your funds earlier.
Specifically, if you are due a payment on Thursday, December 25, or Friday, December 26, you will likely be paid on Wednesday, December 24 instead. For those expecting money on New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1, the payment should arrive on the preceding working day, Wednesday, December 30.
This means recipients must budget carefully, as an early payment will need to last longer until the next scheduled instalment. The changes apply to most benefits administered by the DWP, while Tax Credits and Child Benefit, handled by HMRC, follow the same holiday schedule.
Key Benefit Payment Frequencies
To help with financial planning, here is a reminder of how often some of the most common benefits are typically paid:
- Attendance Allowance: Usually every four weeks.
- Carer’s Allowance: Weekly in advance or every four weeks.
- Child Benefit: Usually every four weeks, or weekly for single parents or those on certain benefits.
- Disability Living Allowance: Usually every four weeks.
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): Usually every two weeks.
- Income Support & Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA): Usually every two weeks.
- Pension Credit & State Pension: Usually every four weeks.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP): Usually every four weeks.
- Tax Credits: Every four weeks or weekly.
- Universal Credit: Paid monthly.
State Pension Payment Days in December 2025
Your state pension payment day is determined by the last two digits of your National Insurance number. The pension is normally paid every four weeks, but the December schedule will shift due to the holidays. The standard weekly schedule is as follows:
00 to 19: Monday
20 to 39: Tuesday
40 to 59: Wednesday
60 to 79: Thursday
80 to 99: Friday
If your normal day falls on a bank holiday, refer to the earlier payment dates outlined above.
What to Do If Your Payment Doesn't Arrive
If your expected benefit or pension does not arrive on the revised date, you should contact the relevant helpline. Be aware that these lines are unlikely to be operational on bank holidays themselves, so you may need to wait until the next working day.
Key contact numbers include:
- Universal Credit: 0800 328 9344 (Textphone: 0800 328 1344)
- Child Benefit: 0300 200 3100
- Tax Credits (HMRC): 0345 300 3900
- Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, ESA: 0800 169 0310
Planning ahead for these date changes is essential to ensure financial stability through the festive period and into the New Year.
