A full list of DWP benefit payment changes over Christmas is outlined below
Recipients of Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and various other benefits should be aware that usual payment dates may vary during the festive period. The UK Government has specified the precise changes on its website, indicating that payments due from December 24, 2025, to January 2, 2026, are particularly affected.
While anyone due to receive Universal Credit on December 25 or 26 will instead receive it one day earlier on December 24, the same cannot be applied to other benefits. Instead, payments will be issued on December 23, two days before Christmas, and will land in your usual bank, building society, or credit union account.
Anyone who does not receive their benefits on time is encouraged to contact the appropriate office as soon as possible. A full list of Government benefit date changes is outlined below.
Benefit payments over the festive period
Universal Credit
- Payments due on December 24 will be paid on December 24
- Payments due on December 25 will be paid on December 24
- Payments due on December 26 will be paid on December 24
- Payments due on January 1 will be paid on December 31
- Payments due on January 2 (Scotland only) will be paid on January 2
Other benefits
- Payments due on December 24 will be paid on December 23
- Payments due on December 25 will be paid on December 23
- Payments due on December 26 will be paid on December 23
- Payments due on January 1 will be paid on December 31
- Payments due on January 2 (Scotland only) will be paid on December 31
Beyond this, general advice on GOV.UK adds: “Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before. This may be different for Child Benefit.”
If you’re unsure when to expect your benefits, the Government has provided a clear list of how regularly payments are issued. This includes the following:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance – usually every two weeks
- Maternity Allowance – every two or four weeks
- Employment and Support Allowance – usually every two weeks
- State Pension – usually every four weeks
- Universal Credit – every month
- Pension Credit – usually every four weeks
- Disability Living Allowance – usually every four weeks
- Personal Independence Payment – usually every four weeks
- Attendance Allowance – usually every four weeks
- Income Support – usually every two weeks
- Carer’s Allowance – weekly in advance or every four weeks
- Child Benefit – usually every four weeks – or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits
Certain qualifying Brits may also receive an extra £10 over the festive period as part of the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Christmas bonus scheme. This tax-free sum is typically issued to people receiving specific benefits, such as Pension Credit (guarantee element), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Carer’s Allowance.
As long as you meet the DWP’s other criteria, your payment should be deposited into the same account that receives your benefits, pensions, and allowances, and it may appear as ‘DWP XB’ on your bank statement.
If you haven’t received the Christmas Bonus by January 1 and think you’re eligible, the DWP advises contacting either the Pension Service or your local Jobcentre Plus, depending on who handles your payments.
For more information, head to GOV.UK.
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