December DWP Payment Dates – What You Need to Know for the Holidays

As December rolls in and festive plans begin, there’s something else millions of benefit claimants in the UK should keep an eye on—changes to DWP payment dates. With Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day all falling on bank holidays, many people expecting benefits or pension payments could see their money arriving earlier than usual.

Knowing how these changes work can help you manage your finances better and avoid last-minute surprises. So, let’s break down everything you need to know.

Holidays

This year, the holiday dates fall as follows:

• Christmas Day – Thursday, 25 December
• Boxing Day – Friday, 26 December
• New Year’s Day – Thursday, 1 January

All three are bank holidays, and when a payment date falls on one, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) usually sends the payment on the working day before. That’s great news for those relying on support—but it also means your money will need to stretch a bit further into the next month.

Changes

Here’s how the altered DWP payment dates for December and early January look:

Original Payment Date	New Payment Date
Thursday, 25 December	Wednesday, 24 December
Friday, 26 December	Wednesday, 24 December
Thursday, 1 January	Wednesday, 31 December

So, if you were expecting your usual payment on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, you’ll now be paid on Christmas Eve. And if your payment was due on New Year’s Day, you’ll receive it on New Year’s Eve instead.

This applies to most DWP benefits and state pension payments, ensuring you’re not left waiting during the holiday closures.

Benefits

Here’s a quick list of benefits likely to be impacted by the December bank holidays:

• Universal Credit
• State Pension
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Carer’s Allowance
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Pension Credit
• Attendance Allowance

Most of these are paid every two weeks or monthly, so the impact depends on your usual payment schedule.

Some benefits, like Child Benefit, operate a bit differently and may have separate arrangements. It’s worth checking your online account or recent letters from HMRC or DWP to confirm any specific changes to your benefit.

Pension

If you’re receiving the basic State Pension, your payment usually arrives every four weeks and is paid directly into your bank account. The day your pension is paid depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance (NI) number.

If your scheduled pension payment date falls on one of the December bank holidays, it will likely be sent earlier, usually the working day before.

So, pensioners due a payment on:

• Thursday, 25 Dec → Paid on Wednesday, 24 Dec
• Friday, 26 Dec → Paid on Wednesday, 24 Dec
• Thursday, 1 Jan → Paid on Wednesday, 31 Dec

This early payment can be helpful during the busy (and expensive) Christmas period—but it also means the next payment might feel further away than usual.

Tips

Here are a few quick tips to manage your money better during these adjusted dates:

• Budget wisely: With earlier payments, you may have a longer wait before the next one.
• Plan your spending: Make a list for holiday expenses so you don’t overspend early.
• Check your bank: Log into your online banking to confirm the payment date.
• Contact DWP if needed: If your payment doesn’t arrive when expected, call 0800 328 5644. Note: DWP offices will be closed on bank holidays, so try contacting them before or after.

And remember—most people won’t need to take any action. These changes are automatic, and your benefit or pension will arrive earlier if affected.

FAQs