BENEFITS will be paid early for millions of Brits and the cash will hit bank accounts TODAY.
Christmas bank holidays mean payments are made early, including for Universal Credit.
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Early payments will be made on Christmas Eve for 12 benefits the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed.
That includes Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and the State Pension.
There are bank holidays on Monday and Tuesday – December 27 and 28 – because Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a weekend this year.
That means some benefits normally paid on these dates will hit bank accounts today instead (Friday December 24).
David Rutley, welfare delivery minister, said: “Making these payments early means people will receive their money sooner rather than later, an especially welcome move at this time of the year.”
There are also changes over the New Year period, with further bank holidays – here we explain the changes and when you can expect your benefit payment.
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What benefits are paid early today?
The DWP have shared the full list of benefits that will be paid early on Christmas Eve.
These are:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Tax Credits (such as Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit
Will get my benefits paid early on Christmas Eve?
Whether you get your benefits paid early depends on the date you usually get paid.
If you normally get paid benefits on the following dates, you’ll get the money early on Friday, December 24.
- Saturday 25 December
- Sunday 26 December
- Monday 27 December
- Tuesday 28 December
You’ll also get paid early if you normally would get payment on Wednesday December 29, except for Universal Credit, which will still be paid on the normal day.
All payments expected on Thursday December 30 will be paid as normal on that day.
Will benefits be paid early for New Year?
New Year also has a bank holiday so it means you could get paid early next week too.
New Year’s Day also falls on Straurday so Monday January 3, 2022 is a bank holiday.
If you normally get paid benefits on the following dates over New Year, you’ll get the money early on Friday, December 31.
- Saturday January 1
- Tuesday January 2
- Monday January 3
Payments due on Tuesday January 4, 2022 will be paid on this day as usual if you’re in England or Wales.
In Scotland, all benefits apart from Universal Credit due on January 4 will be paid early, on Friday December 31.
Universal Credit will still be paid on this day even though it’s a bank holiday in Scotland.
Will my benefit payment amount change?
The amount you get paid today should be the same as usual – unless you’ve had a change of circumstances affecting your payment this month.
Remember, you’ll have to make the money you get today go further as you’ll have extra days to wait until your next benefit payment date.
Don’t forget to include this when working out your household budget.
If your money is not paid on time, then you should double check the date you get paid normally and contact your bank before calling DWP.
If something’s not right, you can also submit a complaint to the DWP
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