The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that State Pension and benefit payments will follow a revised timetable during the Christmas and New Year period due to bank holidays.
Payments originally scheduled for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, December 26, and January 1 will be paid earlier to ensure recipients receive their funds on business days when DWP offices and advisors are available. This adjustment aligns with similar changes already communicated by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Unlike other benefits, Child Benefit payments will remain on their usual schedule this year, as Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on Thursday and Friday respectively. HMRC distributes Child Benefit only on Mondays and Tuesdays, ensuring payments are unaffected by holiday closures.
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Bank holidays across England, Scotland, and Wales include Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, with January 2 recognized as a bank holiday in Scotland only. These holidays influence the DWP’s adjusted payment dates to prevent delays.
For those receiving Universal Credit and other DWP benefits, payment dates over the festive season have been rescheduled to accommodate holiday office closures. Detailed information on these revised dates is available on the official GOV.UK website.
In summary, thanks to proactive scheduling by the DWP and HMRC, benefit recipients can expect timely payments despite holiday interruptions, with no changes affecting Child Benefit disbursements this year.