Early Payments for DWP and HMRC Benefits

Early Payments for DWP and HMRC Benefits This Holiday Season: What You Need to Know

If you usually receive benefits or tax credits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on the 25th or 26th of each month, your December payments will likely arrive earlier this year due to the Christmas holidays. Specifically, payments will be made on Tuesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve). For residents in Northern Ireland, some Tax Credit payments originally due on December 27th will also be paid on December 24th.

For those whose usual payday falls on the 1st of each month, your January payment will also be affected. Since New Year’s Day is a bank holiday, payments are expected to arrive on Tuesday, December 31st instead.

Affected Benefits and Credits

These early payment dates don’t just apply to Universal Credit; they also affect the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• State Pension
• Child Benefit (paid by HMRC)
• Tax Credits (paid by HMRC)

What to Expect

Receiving your payment earlier than usual may feel like a small bonus, but it’s important to plan carefully. Since your next payment will return to the regular schedule, you’ll need to make your money last a little longer than usual.

Here are some key points:

• No action is required: Your payment will automatically be processed and sent to the usual account.
• Payment amounts remain the same: The only difference is the earlier payment date.
• No change for non-holiday paydays: If your scheduled date isn’t affected by Christmas or New Year, your payment will arrive as usual.

Help for Those in Financial Difficulty

If you're on Universal Credit and struggling financially, you can request an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA). This arrangement can help by:

• Paying your rent directly to your landlord.
• Splitting your payments into two installments per month instead of one.
• Arranging for separate payments if you have a partner.

To apply for an APA, contact your Universal Credit work coach or visit your local Jobcentre Plus.

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