Households receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) should be aware of significant changes to their regular payment schedule due to upcoming public holidays and closures at benefit offices. These adjustments will affect monthly payments, which can total up to £737.
Adjustments to Disability Benefit Payment
During December and early January, the usual payment dates for these disability benefits will be altered. PIP, DLA, and other benefits are typically paid every four weeks on the same weekday. However, the holiday season requires modifications that households must consider for effective financial planning.
Currently, more than 3.6 million households receive PIP, and 1.3 million receive DLA. In Scotland, PIP recipients are transitioning to the Adult Disability Payment. While new DLA claims are limited to those under 16, over 600,000 adults remain on DLA, awaiting migration to PIP.
Festive Period Payment Adjustments for PIP and DLA
The following adjustments will take place during the festive period:
- Payments due on Christmas Eve (Tuesday, December 24) will be processed as scheduled.
- Payments scheduled for Christmas Day (Wednesday, December 25) will be issued on December 24.
- Payments due on Boxing Day (Thursday, December 26) will also be advanced to December 24.
- Payments set for Friday, December 27 will be issued on December 24, even though this is a normal working day.
- Payments scheduled for New Year’s Day (Monday, January 1) will be processed on New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, December 31).
- In Scotland, payments due on January 2 will be moved to December 31 due to extended New Year celebrations.
Summary of Updated Payment Dates and Importance of Staying Informed
Here is a summary of the updated payment dates:
| Original Payment Date | New Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Christmas Eve | Tuesday, December 24 |
| Christmas Day | Tuesday, December 24 |
| Boxing Day | Tuesday, December 24 |
| Friday, December 27 | Tuesday, December 24 |
| New Year’s Eve | Tuesday, December 31 |
| New Year’s Day | Tuesday, December 31 |
| Tuesday, January 2 | Monday, January 1 (Scotland only) |
Staying informed about these changes is essential for households receiving PIP and DLA to ensure smooth financial planning during the festive season. Awareness of the revised schedule can help avoid unexpected financial difficulties.
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