The temporary change is due to the festive bank holidays(Image: Getty Images)

DWP and HMRC benefits to be paid early next month - see full list

The temporary change is due to the bank holidays that fall around the festive season - this year, Christmas Day will fall on a Wednesday, and Boxing Day is on Thursday

by · The Mirror

Millions of benefit claimants may receive their cash earlier than expected next month as the payment date is set to change temporarily for some people.

The temporary change is due to the bank holidays that fall around the festive season. This year, Christmas Day will fall on a Wednesday, and Boxing Day is on Thursday. These days are usually classed as bank holidays, and as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC don't make benefit payments on bank holidays, if you are due cash on these dates, you will likely be paid earlier this month.

For benefit claimants, the DWP and HMRC will likely pay you on the final working day before Christmas which this year will be Tuesday, December 24 - so on Christmas Eve. This means some claimants will be receiving their December Universal Credit payment potentially one or two days earlier than expected. Some Tax Credit payments will be affected on December 27. However, this is only in Northern Ireland.

This isn't the only date change happening this month as there are more bank holidays around the New Year too. New Year's Day on January 1 - which falls on a Wednesday this year - is also classed as a bank holiday. If you are due for a benefit payment on January 1, then you will receive this payment a day earlier on December 31.

If you're due to be paid on a different day, you won't need to do anything - the money will be paid into your account as normal. The amount you get will also remain the same, and it will also be paid into the same account in which you normally receive your benefit payment.

It's also very important to note that although receiving your benefits earlier may sound like a good thing, it does mean that you need to make your money last longer, even if it is just by one day.

Full list of benefits being paid early next month

  • Attendance allowance
  • Carer's allowance
  • Disability living allowance
  • Income support
  • Jobseekers allowance
  • Pension credit
  • Personal independence payments (PIP)
  • State pension
  • Universal Credit
  • Child benefit (paid by HMRC)
  • Tax credits (paid by HMRC)