The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revised its regular payment schedule ahead of the festive season to account for upcoming bank holidays. This affects a wide range of support, including Universal Credit, State Pension, Carer’s Allowance, and PIP, as well as other legacy benefits.
According to updated DWP guidance, many recipients who would normally expect to receive their payments on 25 or 26 December (Christmas Day and Boxing Day) will instead be paid on Tuesday 24 December. A similar adjustment applies to New Year’s Day (1 January), with payments brought forward to Tuesday 31 December.
Bank Holiday Adjustments for Millions of Recipients
Each year, bank holidays impact the dates when social security and pension payments are issued. In 2025, Christmas Day falls on a Thursday, followed immediately by Boxing Day on Friday, creating a two-day closure for DWP offices. As benefits are not processed on bank holidays or weekends, early disbursement has been scheduled for Wednesday 24 December, according to DWP.
This affects a significant range of claimants, including those receiving Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Pension Credit, and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Universal Credit, typically paid monthly on the same date, will also be brought forward where applicable. For example, someone expecting a payment on 25 December will now receive it on 24 December.
The same approach applies to 1 January 2026, which falls on a Thursday. Payments scheduled for that day will be issued on Wednesday 31 December, following DWP’s standard protocol of paying on the last working day before a public holiday. According to the DWP, the amount paid will remain unchanged despite the revised schedule. However, early payments may lead to a longer wait before the next cycle, particularly for Universal Credit recipients who are paid monthly.
Payment Dates by Benefit Type and Support Options if Delayed
How frequently a person receives payments depends on the type of benefit. According to current DWP guidance, Universal Credit is paid monthly, while Income Support, ESA, and JSA are generally disbursed every two weeks. State Pension, PIP, and Carer’s Allowance are typically paid every four weeks.
Benefit recipients can consult their online account or journal to verify the exact payment date. This is especially important during the festive season, when DWP phone lines and offices operate reduced hours, potentially delaying responses to urgent queries.
If a payment does not arrive as expected, the first step is to check the award notice and bank account. According to the DWP, if the date is correct and the payment is missing, claimants should contact the appropriate helpline. For Universal Credit, the freephone number is 0800 328 5644 (Welsh 0800 328 1744, Relay UK :18001 then 0800 328 5644), while Child Benefit queries should be directed to 0300 200 3100 (Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086).
