29 December 2023 , 08:56
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Due to the New Year bank holiday, thousands of people will receive their benefit payments early today - including Universal Credit.
If you expect a payment next week on Monday, January 1, you will be paid today on Friday, December 29 instead. This is because January 1 is a bank holiday. Tax Credit claimants who are normally paid on Tuesday, January 2, will also be paid today.
If you live in England or Northern Ireland and you're due a Tax Credit payment on Wednesday, January 3, then the money should be paid to you a day early on Tuesday, January 2. Being paid early may sound great, as you will have some cash for New Year celebrations. However, you need to be aware that the money you receive will need to last you until your next benefit payment - so you'll need to stretch it a little further.
Official Government guidance states: "Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before. This may be different for Tax Credits and Child Benefit."
The following 12 DWP and HMRC benefits are impacted by the New Year bank holiday and will be paid early:
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- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseekers Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension
- Tax credits (such as Working Tax Credit)
- Universal Credit
- Guardian’s Allowance
When are benefits normally paid?
How often you get paid your benefit depends on what type of support you claim. For example, you’ll get paid Universal Credit on the same day each month, while Tax Credits are typically paid every four weeks or weekly.
Child Benefit is usually every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. See the full list of how often certain benefits are paid below:
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
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Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks
State Pension - Usually every four weeks
Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly
Universal Credit - Every month