Universal Credit claimants will see some slight adjustments to when their benefits are paid over Christmas and New Year 2024
Some Universal Credit and other key benefit payments are set to be made early, the Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed. Those due to receive their Universal Credit on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day will now be paid on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, one day earlier.
Other benefits due to land in accounts between December 25 and January 2, 2025 are also set to be made earlier. “There will also be payments for other benefits made early, including Child Benefit and Tax Credits, during this period of added financial pressure for low-income families,” the announcement from the Government said.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, said: “While a time of joy for many, the Christmas period can be overshadowed by financial worry for others, particularly for families on the lowest incomes. Our Plan for Change will deliver the long-term economic stability and growth needed to improve every family’s financial security by putting more money in their pockets while we take immediate action to support them with the cost of living. As well as bringing forward benefit payments to continue support over Christmas, our Household Support Fund can also provide extra help, and I encourage anyone struggling to get in touch with their local council to see if they are eligible.”
A total of 6.3 million people, as of January this year, claim Universal Credit. Around 594,000 families claim tax credits and an additional 7.65 million receive child benefit each month. It’s understood January’s payments will resume on normal dates.
The full table of payment dates
When your payment is due |
When Universal Credit will be paid |
When tax credits will be paid |
When Child Benefit will be paid |
When other benefits will be paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 24 December | Tuesday 24 December | – | – | Tuesday 24 December |
| Wednesday 25 December | Tuesday 24 December | Tuesday 24 December | – | Tuesday 24 December |
| Thursday 26 December | Tuesday 24 December | Tuesday 24 December | – | Tuesday 24 December |
| Friday 27 December | Friday 27 December | Tuesday 24 December | – | Tuesday 24 December |
| Monday 30 December | – | – | Tuesday 31 December | – |
| Wednesday 1 January | Tuesday 31 December | Tuesday 31 December | – | Tuesday 31 December |
| Thursday 2 January | Thursday 2 January | Tuesday 31 December | – | Tuesday 31 December |