Universal Credit and other DWP benefits to be paid early in December, here's when you can expect them

Due to the number of bank holidays in December and early January, the day you receive your benefits will change. Here’s when you’ll get paid.

Universal Credit and DWP payments for December paid early
© Stuart Gleave / Getty Images
Universal Credit and DWP payments for December paid early

December is right around the corner, which means that Christmas is on its way as well as all the other December bank holidays are here. Due to the number of bank holidays, some of the benefitshouseholds receive will be sent out earlier, as per Mirror.

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This can be both a good and bad thing, it is good because you will get paid earlier, but it is also a bad thing as it means there is a bigger gap before you receive your next payment. As a result, households may need to budget the month of December differently. But don’t worry, we are here to give you all the key dates so you can make it through December more easily!

When will you receive your benefits?

As mentioned above, there are several bank holidays in December, there is Christmas Day (December 25), which falls on a Monday this year, then Boxing Day (December 26). Then, as you all know, New Year’s Day (January 1), which falls on a Monday and, if you live in Scotland, you’ll get an extra bank holiday on January 2.

If you were supposed to receive any of your benefit payments on these days, you will receive them a working day earlier. This means that if you were due a payment on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, you will receive it on Friday, December 22.

If you are awaiting a Tax Credit payment on Wednesday, December 27, you will also be paid on Friday, December 22 and if your Tax Credit was due on Thursday, December 28, you will be paid on Wednesday, December 27.

Following the same system, if your benefit payment is due on Monday, January 1, you will receive it the Friday before, so on December 29. This also applies to those who are due their Tax Credit payment on Tuesday, January 2.

When are benefit payments usually paid?

In case you don’t know or have forgotten when each benefit payment is due, we have the full list. If you claim Universal Credit, it’ll be paid on the same day each month, unlike others, which are based on a certain number of weeks.

  • Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks
  • Carer’s Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks
  • Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks, or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits
  • Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks
  • Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks
  • Income Support - Usually every two weeks
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance - Usually every two weeks
  • Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks
  • Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks
  • State Pension - Usually every four weeks
  • Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly
  • Universal Credit - Every month

Read more:

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Sources used:

Mirror: ‘DWP benefits including Universal Credit to be paid early next month in huge shake-up’

DWP benefit claimants lose £4,130 due to Universal Credit switch delay DWP benefit claimants lose £4,130 due to Universal Credit switch delay