Officials have issued a new warning that people need to check when their usual payments are coming
The Department for Work and Pensions issued a new alert confirming payment dates for those receiving benefits and state pensions over the Christmas period.
With Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day all occurring within the same week, claimants must brace themselves for their payments to arrive at different times.
The DWP posted on X today with a fresh warning to inform people about the alterations. It stated: “Information for claimants already receiving payments: Your payment dates may be brought forward due to the festive period Please contact us straight away if there is a problem with your payment.”
Authorities have verified that whilst payments are usually transferred directly into bank accounts, if the standard payment date clashes with a bank holiday, the money will typically be deposited on the last working day prior.
The DWP explained: “Some payments will be made earlier if they’re due between 24 December 2025 and 2 January 2026.
“Tell the office that pays your benefit if you do not get your payment on the day it’s scheduled.”
These modifications impact anyone whose regular payment date occurs on the 24th, 25th, 26th or 1st of the month – see the table below:
When your payment is due // When Universal Credit will be paid// When other benefits will be paid (not Universal Credit)
Wednesday 24 December // Wednesday 24 December // Tuesday 23 December
Thursday 25 December // Wednesday 24 December // Tuesday 23 December
Friday 26 December // Wednesday 24 December // Tuesday 23 December
Thursday 1 January // Wednesday 31 December // Wednesday 31 December
Benefits such as State Pension, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance are paid at regular intervals:
- Attendance Allowance: Usually every 4 weeks
- Carer’s Allowance: Weekly in advance or every 4 weeks
- Child Benefit: Usually every 4 weeks – or weekly if you’re a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits.
- Disability Living Allowance: Usually every 4 weeks
- Employment and Support Allowance: Usually every 2 weeks
- Income Support: Usually every 2 weeks
- Jobseeker’s Allowance: Usually every 2 weeks
- Maternity Allowance: Every 2 or 4 weeks
- Pension Credit: Usually every 4 weeks
- Personal Independence Payment: Usually every 4 weeks
- State Pension: Usually every 4 weeks
- Universal Credit: Every month
Payment dates in Scotland below
Here are all the opening hours for HMRC and the DWP. Note that these services are typically closed on weekends.
HMRC
The phone line you use to contact HMRC will vary depending on the department you need. You can find these on GOV.UK.
Phone line opening times over Christmas and New Year are:
- Wednesday 24 December: 8am to 4pm
- Thursday 25 December to Sunday 28 December: Closed
- Monday 29 December and Tuesday 30 December: 8am to 6pm
- Wednesday 31 December: 8am to 4pm
- Thursday 1 January: Closed
- Friday 2 January: 8am to 6pm
HMRC said: “While we’re away, our online services are available 24/7.”
DWP
This includes JobCentre Plus, pension services, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
JobCentre Plus (England and Wales)
- Wednesday 24 December – Friday 26 December: Offices and phone lines are closed
- Monday 29 December – Wednesday 31 December: Offices are open as usual. Phone lines are open until 4pm
- Thursday 1 January: Offices and phone lines are closed
- Friday 2 January: Offices are open as usual. Phone lines are open until 4pm
JobCentre Plus (Scotland)
- Wednesday 24 December: Offices are open as usual. Phone lines are open until 4pm
- Thursday 25 December – Friday 26 Decembe: Offices and phone lines are closed
- Monday 29 December – Wednesday 31 December: Offices are open as usual. Phone lines are open until 4pm
- Thursday 1 January – Friday 2 January – Offices and phone lines are closed
Pension Service
Helpline opening times over Christmas and New Year:
- Wednesday 24 December: Closed (except in Scotland, open 8am to 5pm)
- Thursday 25 December – Friday 26 December: Closed
- Monday 29 December – Tuesday 30 December: Open 8am to 6pm
- Wednesday 31 January: Open 8am to 5pm
- Thursday 1 January: Closed
- Friday 2 January: Open 8am to 6pm (closed in Scotland)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP helpline opening times over Christmas and New Year:
- Wednesday 24 December: Open 9am to 4pm (Scotland only)
- Thursday 25 December – Friday 26 December: Closed
- Monday 29 December – Wednesday 31 December: Open 9am to 5pm
- Thursday 1 January: Closed
- Friday 2 January: Open 9am to 5pm (England and Wales only)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
DLA helpline opening times over Christmas and New Year:
- Wednesday 24 December – Friday 26 December: Closed
- Monday 29 December – Wednesday 31 December: Open 9am to 5pm
- Thursday 1 January: Closed
- Friday 2 January: Open 9am to 5pm (England and Wales only)
Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Attendance Allowance helpline opening times over Christmas and New Year
- Wednesday 24 December – Friday 26 December: Closed
- Monday 29 December – Tuesday 30 December: Open 8am to 6pm
- Wednesday 31 December: Open 8am to 5pm
- Thursday 1 January: Closed
- Friday 2 January: Open 8am to 6pm (England and Wales only)
For more information, visit GOV.UK.