There are just five weeks to go until Christmas and already HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Social Security Scotland have published online guidance advising people of changes to benefit payment dates. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has yet to do so and typically confirms changes to State Pension and benefits nearer the time, however, these usually follow the same payment pattern set by HMRC.
This is because offices, web services and telephone lines tend to close on the same days over the festive fortnight and DWP always ensures payments are made on a day when offices are open so that claimants can speak to an advisor. There will be no payment date changes for people in receipt of Child Benefit this year as Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday and Boxing Day on a Thursday – the HMRC payment is only made on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are both classed as Bank Holidays across Scotland, England and Wales.
HMRC Christmas payment date changes
HMRC has confirmed changes to Tax Credits. Payments due on December 25, 26 and 27 will be paid on Tuesday, December 24. Full details on GOV.UK here.
Tax Credits payment date changes
- Payment due on Wednesday, December 25 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
- Payment due on Thursday, December 26 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
- Payment due on Friday, December 27 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
Social Security Scotland payment date changes
Social Security Scotland has also published payment date changes over the festive period. Full details can be found here.
Social Security Scotland payment date changes:
- Payment due on Wednesday, December 25 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
- Payment due on Thursday, December 26 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
- Payment due on Friday, December 27 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
This will affect people in receipt of:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Carer Support Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Pension Age Disability Payment
- Scottish Child Payment
Best Start Foods payments will not be affected.
DWP payment date changes (to be confirmed)
While the DWP has not announced any changes yet, it is widely expected to follow the same payment pattern listed above. Once this has been confirmed, we will update this article.
DWP benefits and payments that may be affected:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
DWP payment date changes (to be confirmed):
- Payment due on Wednesday, December 25 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
- Payment due on Thursday, December 26 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24
- Payment due on Friday, December 27 – paid into bank account on Tuesday, December 24