Benefits could be paid early to millions of claimants next month,

DWP and HMRC payments entering bank accounts early next month

by · Birmingham Live

Benefits could be paid early to millions of claimants next month,with the payment date set to temporarily change for some people. The temporary change in payment date will happen due to how the bank holidays fall around the festive season.

In December 2024, Christmas Day will fall on a Wednesday while Boxing Day will fall on a Thursday. Both Christmas and Boxing Day are typically classed as holidays, reports MirrorOnline.

But benefit payments aren't usually paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC on bank holidays. That means you will likely be paid earlier next month if you are due cash on those dates.

READ MORE: £200 cost of living payments entering bank accounts for next four months until March 2025

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Benefit claimants will likely be paid by HMRC and the DWP on the final working day before Christmas. This year, Christmas Eve - which is December 24 - will fall on Tuesday.

As a result, some claimants could be receiving their December Universal Credit payment 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)