December 23rd 2024.
For many families, Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be a source of stress and financial strain. With the pressure to treat loved ones and visit family and friends, the expenses can quickly add up. As a result, many people have been budgeting and trying to stretch their funds to cover the additional costs on top of their daily essentials.
This can be even more challenging for those who rely on state benefits or a pension, especially during the ongoing cost of living crisis. Some pensioners have even shared that they are unable to afford the festivities this year, with the government's winter fuel allowance cuts only adding to their struggles. However, having a clear understanding of when payments will be made can help ease some of the anxiety.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for most of the benefits in the UK. So, here is a roundup of the upcoming payment dates from both the DWP and HMRC. With Christmas and New Year's Eve falling in the middle of the week this year, it's likely that many payments will be made on the previous working day, according to iNews. It's also important to note that there may be differences in payment dates between England and Scotland.
Let's start with the attendance allowance, which is usually paid monthly to those with long-term physical or mental conditions or disabilities. If the payment is due on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or Friday, December 27, recipients can expect to receive it on December 24. In Scotland, the payment will be made on New Year's Eve if the due date is January 2.
Next is the carer's allowance, which is typically paid weekly in advance or every four weeks. If the payment is due on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or Friday, December 27, the money should appear in the recipient's bank account on December 24. For those with a payment due on New Year's Day, it will be paid on New Year's Eve, December 31. In Scotland, payments due on January 2 will also be made on New Year's Eve.
Child benefit is usually paid every four weeks or weekly, depending on the situation. For those with a payment due on Tuesday, Christmas Eve, they can expect to receive it on that day. Similarly, if the payment is due on Tuesday, New Year's Eve, it will be paid on that day. The disability living allowance follows a similar pattern, with payments being made on Christmas Eve for any due dates falling on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or Friday, December 27. In Scotland, payments due on New Year's Day and January 2 will be made on New Year's Eve.
Moving on to the employment and support allowance, which is generally paid every two weeks. Recipients can expect to receive their payment on Christmas Eve if the due date falls on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or Friday, December 27. If the payment date is New Year's Day or January 2, it should be paid on New Year's Eve.
Income support is another benefit that is paid to individuals on low or no income who receive financial help but are not unemployed. For payments due on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or Friday, December 27, the money should appear in the recipient's bank account on Christmas Eve. Similarly, if the due date is New Year's Day (a bank holiday) or January 2, the payment will be made on New Year's Eve.
Jobseeker's allowance, typically paid fortnightly, follows a similar pattern. Recipients can expect to receive their payment on Christmas Eve if the due date falls on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or Friday, December 27. For those with a payment due on New Year's Day or January 2, it will be made on New Year's Eve.
Now, let's talk about pension payment dates over Christmas. State pension and pension credit payments are typically made every four weeks. The exact date of the payment depends on the recipient's National Insurance number, according to iNews. The payment dates for this week are as follows:
- 00 to 19: Monday
- 20 to 39: Tuesday
- 40 to 59: Wednesday
- 60 to 79: Thursday
- 80 to 99: Friday
When a payment due date falls on a bank holiday, it will be made on the previous working day. Maternity allowance recipients are paid every two or four weeks, and similar to other benefits, if the payment date falls on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or December 27, it will be paid on Christmas Eve. Similarly, payments due on New Year's Day and January 2 will be made on New Year's Eve.
The personal independence payment is typically paid every four weeks, and for payments due on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or Friday, December 27, the money should appear in the recipient's bank account on Christmas Eve. If the payment is due on New Year's Day or January 2, it should be made on New Year's Eve.
Tax credits, which are paid every four weeks or weekly by the HMRC, are also affected by the holiday season. If the due date for the payment is Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day this year, it will be paid on Christmas Eve. However, in Northern Ireland, the payment will be made on Christmas Eve if the due date is Friday. For payments due on January 2, the payment date is New Year's Eve.
Lastly, let's talk about Universal Credit, which is paid monthly. The payment dates for this year are a bit different from other benefits. If the payment is due on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Boxing Day, it will be paid on Christmas Eve. Similarly, if the payment is due on Friday, December 27, it will be made on that day. For those with a payment due on New Year's Day, it should be paid on New Year's Eve. And for recipients in Scotland with a payment date on January 2, it will be made on that day.
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