DWP confirms Christmas and New Year pay date changes for people on State Pension or benefits

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed changes to State Pensions and benefits over Christmas and New Year for people whose scheduled payments fall on certain days. The announcement also confirms that people in Scotland-only will receive payments earlier due to the January 2nd bank holiday.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Social Security Scotland have already published online guidance advising people of changes to benefit payment dates with DWP following a similar pattern. The State Pension and benefit payments that fall on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Friday December 27, January 1st and 2nd (Scotland only) will be affected by the festive period.

This is because offices, web services and telephone lines tend to close on the same days over the festive fortnight and DWP, HMRC and Social Security Scotland ensure payments are made on a day when offices are open so that claimants can speak to an advisor.

There will be no payment date changes for people in receipt of Child Benefit this year as Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday and Boxing Day on a Thursday - the HMRC payment is only issued on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Christmas Day and Boxing Day are both classed as bank holidays across Scotland, England and Wales. New Year's Day is a bank holiday in Scotland, England and Wales while January 2nd is recognised as a bank holiday in Scotland only.

DWP Christmas and New Year payment dates

DWP 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 GOV.UK here.

DWP benefits and payments that may be affected:

• Universal Credit
• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

DWP 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

HMRC Christmas and New Year payment dates

HMRC has confirmed 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 GOV.UK 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

Social Security Scotland payment date changes

Social Security Scotland has also published payment date changes over the festive period. Full details can be found here.

Social Security Scotland 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 - paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 31

This will affect people in receipt of:

• Adult Disability Payment
• Carer Support Payment
• Child Disability Payment
• Pension Age Disability Payment
• Scottish Child Payment

Best Start Foods payments will not be affected.