UK state pensioners are set to receive an £884 cash boost from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before 2025. The DWP has announced that due to the Christmas and New Year period, some benefits, including State Pensions, will be paid early this month.
As New Year’s Day is a bank holiday, the government department will issue benefits payments earlier than usual to ensure claimants receive the financial support they need. Currently, the full new State Pension rate is £221.20 per week and is typically issued by the DWP every four weeks.
With four full weeks in December, pensioners will receive £884.80 this month, which will arrive in bank accounts early. If you receive the full basic State Pension, paid at a rate of £169.50 per week, you’ll get £678 this month.
The DWP has confirmed that pensioners due to receive their State Pension payment before January 2, 2025, will instead receive it on the following dates: If your payment is due on Wednesday, January 1, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 31. If your payment is due on Thursday, January 2, you’ll instead be paid on Tuesday, December 31.
Households are warned that the earlier payment dates may affect how they budget their finances in the following month, as they will have to make their money last a bit longer until their next payment lands in January, reports the Express.
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Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, commented: “While a time of joy for many, the Christmas period can be overshadowed by financial worry for others, particularly for families on the lowest incomes.”
“Our Plan for Change will deliver the long-term economic stability and growth needed to improve every family’s financial security by putting more money in their pockets while we take immediate action to support them with the cost of living.”
“As well as bringing forward benefit payments to continue support over Christmas, our Household Support Fund can also provide extra help, and I encourage anyone struggling to get in touch with their local council to see if they are eligible.”