Many people who receive benefits or State Pension from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are about to see the date of their payment move. DWP cash is usually paid straight into a nominated bank, building society or building account, on a regular basis.
Most often, the money is paid once a month, every four weeks, or every two weeks, depending on which benefit(s) you claim. However, the date changes if your usually day falls on a bank holiday.
As we are now in the period between Christmas and New Year, there has been some confusion as to when benefits will be paid. Christmas Day and Boxing Day were both bank holidays, as is the upcoming New Year’s Day on Wednesday, January 1.
To clarify, DWP has issued a new update on X, in which it explains that, for those in England and Wales, anyone on Universal Credit whose payment day would have been January 1 will get their money a day early, on Tuesday, December 31. This is also the case for all other DWP benefit payments due on January 1.
In Scotland, the same will apply, but for anyone expecting a benefit on Thursday, January 2, this will instead be paid on Tuesday, December 31. Universal Credit is an exemption to this, however, and those payments will be made as anticipated on January 2.
DWP added: “Your payment dates may be brought forward due to the festive period. Please contact us straight away if there is a problem with your payment.”