The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has officially confirmed changes to Universal Credit and other benefit payment dates over the Christmas and New Year period, due to UK-wide bank holidays.
If you receive Universal Credit, State Pension, or disability-related benefits, your money may arrive earlier than usual, not later. Here’s what you need to know, clearly explained, UK-focused, and up to date.
Why are Universal Credit payments changing?
Every year, bank holidays necessitate adjustments to benefit payment schedules, and Christmas 2025 is no exception.
What’s causing the disruption?
- Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) are UK bank holidays
- New Year’s Day (1 January) is also a bank holiday across England, Scotland and Wales
- DWP offices, helplines, and payment systems do not operate on bank holidays
To avoid delays, DWP sends payments early, ensuring claimants receive money when support services are available.
Which DWP benefits are affected by Christmas payment changes?
The following benefits are affected by festive bank holidays:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Many people receiving State Pension or long-term benefits may also qualify for the DWP’s annual £10 Christmas Bonus, which is paid each December separately and does not affect regular benefit payments.
Eligibility depends on the type of benefit received during the qualifying week.
What are the Universal Credit payment change dates?
Universal Credit – Christmas week changes
| Original Payment Date | New Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 24 December | No change |
| Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day) | Wednesday 24 December |
| Friday 26 December (Boxing Day) | Wednesday 24 December |
Important: This is an early payment, not extra money. Your next Universal Credit payment will still be on your usual date.
Christmas and New Year payment dates
Over the Christmas and New Year period, some benefit payments may be paid early
If you do not get your payment when expected, please let us know
To find out how to contact us see https://t.co/yaj257ArkJ pic.twitter.com/VOQ6moNBF8
— JCP in Scotland (@JCPinScotland) December 15, 2025
Universal Credit – New Year changes
| Original Payment Date | New Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Thursday 1 January | Wednesday 31 December |
| Friday 2 January | No change |
How are State Pension and other DWP benefits affected?
Christmas week payments (non-Universal Credit)
All DWP benefits and State Pension payments due on:
- Wednesday 24 December
- Thursday 25 December
- Friday 26 December
will be paid early on Tuesday, 23 December.
New Year’s payments
- Payments due on Thursday, 1 January, will be paid on Wednesday, 31 December
Will Child Benefit payments change over Christmas?
No. HMRC has confirmed there are no changes to Child Benefit payment dates this year.
- Child Benefit is only paid on Mondays and Tuesdays
- Christmas Day is on Thursday, and Boxing Day is Friday
- This avoids any clash with HMRC’s payment schedule
HMRC confirmed this update via its official online guidance for Christmas payments.
What if your DWP payment doesn’t arrive?
If your DWP Universal Credit Christmas payment doesn’t arrive on the adjusted date:
- Check your bank account before contacting DWP
- Log in to your Universal Credit online journal
- Contact DWP after the bank holiday, when offices reopen
Calling during bank holidays may not be possible due to closures.
Key points to remember
- Payments affected by bank holidays are paid early, not late
- Universal Credit due on 25 or 26 December arrives on 24 December
- New Year payments due on 1 January arrive on 31 December
- Child Benefit is not affected
- Budget carefully, early payments must last longer
Some claimants may notice their early Universal Credit payment feels lower than expected because of deductions for advances or other repayments.
Earlier changes to the Universal Credit repayment cap altered how much can be taken from monthly payments, which can affect budgeting during the Christmas period.
What does this mean for the UK public?
With household costs already stretched, receiving benefits early can be a budgeting challenge, especially over Christmas. Claimants are urged to plan ahead, avoid assuming extra payments, and seek advice if struggling financially.
For full, official details, always check GOV.UK or your Universal Credit journal.
