December is always a heavy month on the wallet, with Christmas gifts, festive food, and rising heating bills adding up quickly. For millions across the UK who receive benefits or pensions, there’s another important thing to be aware of—changes to DWP payment dates due to Christmas and New Year bank holidays.
If you’re one of the 24 million people receiving DWP-administered benefits or pensions, this article will walk you through everything you need to know about the adjusted December 2025 payment dates.
Holidays
This year’s key bank holidays fall like this:
- Christmas Day – Thursday, 25 December 2025
- Boxing Day – Friday, 26 December 2025
- New Year’s Day – Thursday, 1 January 2026
All three are official UK bank holidays, meaning DWP offices, job centres, and banks will be closed. So if your usual payment date lands on any of these days, expect to be paid early.
Payments
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that if your benefit or pension payment falls on a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid the working day before.
Here’s how the changes play out:
| Scheduled Payment Date | Revised Payment Date |
|---|---|
| Thursday, 25 December | Wednesday, 24 December |
| Friday, 26 December | Wednesday, 24 December |
| Thursday, 1 January | Wednesday, 31 December |
So, if your payment was originally due on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, it’ll now land in your account on Christmas Eve. Similarly, those expecting payments on New Year’s Day will get them on New Year’s Eve.
Pensions
State Pension payments are also impacted by these holiday shifts.
Normally, your basic State Pension is paid every four weeks into your bank account, with the specific day based on the last two digits of your National Insurance number:
| NI Number Ends With | Payment Day |
|---|---|
| 00 to 19 | Monday |
| 20 to 39 | Tuesday |
| 40 to 59 | Wednesday |
| 60 to 79 | Thursday |
| 80 to 99 | Friday |
If your usual payment day is a bank holiday, you’ll get your pension early, just like other DWP benefits.
This early payment is helpful in the short term—but it also means your money will need to last longer until your next scheduled date. Planning your spending ahead of time can make a big difference during the festive season.
Benefits
Here are the main benefits impacted by the December date changes:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
These are usually paid either monthly, every four weeks, or every two weeks, depending on your personal claim setup. While the majority of these benefits will be paid on time, only those scheduled on bank holidays will be moved forward.
Support
Got a payment that hasn’t arrived as expected? First, double-check the revised dates. If it’s late or missing, you can contact the DWP on 0800 328 5644. Just remember, DWP offices are closed on bank holidays, but open on the days before and after.
Also, keep in mind that 2025 includes eight bank holidays in England and Wales, including substitute days when holidays fall on weekends. These dates can continue to affect payment schedules in other months, so it’s smart to stay informed.
So while December brings festive cheer, it also brings earlier payments for many—giving you more time (and money) to prepare for the holidays, but also requiring a little extra planning.
FAQs
When will DWP pay benefits due Dec 25?
They’ll arrive early on Wednesday, December 24.
Will I get paid early if due Jan 1?
Yes, you’ll be paid on December 31 instead.
Is my pension affected by bank holidays?
Yes, it’s paid early if due on a holiday.
Which benefits are affected this December?
Universal Credit, PIP, ESA, State Pension, and others.
Who do I call if payment is missing?
Call DWP on 0800 328 5644 on a working day.
