Millions of UK households on Universal Credit will receive their benefit payment slightly earlier next month due to Christmas.
Universal Credit is paid to low-income households up to a maximum of £617.60 per month, depending on your circumstances. You’ll get this top rate if you live with your partner and either of you are aged 25 or over, while the lowest amount, given to those who are single and under 25, is £311.68 per month.
Two bank holidays fall in December during the festive period, followed by another at the beginning of the New Year, which will affect anyone claiming this benefit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned households that its normal payment date will change in December, which may affect how people budget their spending next month.
Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26) and New Years Day (January 1) are all bank holidays, so if your usual payment date falls on these dates then you will be paid earlier than normal.
The DWP said: “If your payment date is on a weekend or bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before. This may be different for tax credits and Child Benefit.”
This year Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday, while Boxing Day falls on a Thursday. The DWP will pay claimants on the final working day before Christmas, which this year will be a Tuesday. As such, if your payment is due on either of these bank holidays, then your new payment date will be as follows:
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If you’re usually paid on Wednesday December 25, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 24
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If you’re usually paid on Thursday December 26, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday December 24
The change in payment dates means that claimants will have to make their money last a bit longer until their next payment arrives in January next year.
Additionally, there will be a change to payment dates around the New Year as well, as January 1 is also a bank holiday. This year New Year’s Day falls on a Wednesday, so if you are due to be paid on January 1 you should instead receive this payment a day earlier on Tuesday December 31.
You don’t need to do anything if your payment date changes in December, as your money will be paid straight into your usual bank, building society or credit union account.
Other DWP and HMRC benefits payment dates will also be affected by the bank holidays next month. If you aren’t sure when your payment usually falls, here’s a reminder of how often the following benefits are paid by the DWP and HMRC:
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Universal Credit – paid every month
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Pension Credit – usually paid every four weeks
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Disability Living Allowance – usually paid every four weeks
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Personal Independence Payment -usually paid every four weeks
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Attendance Allowance – paid every four weeks
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Carer’s Allowance – paid weekly in advance or every four weeks
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Employment Support Allowance – usually paid every two weeks
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Income Support – usually paid every two weeks
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Jobseeker’s Allowance – usually paid every two weeks
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Maternity Allowance – paid every two or four weeks
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Child Benefit (paid by HMRC) – usually paid every four weeks, or weekly if you’re a single parents or you or your partner get certain benefits
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Tax Credits (paid by HMRC) – paid every four weeks or weekly