Full list as DWP Universal Credit payment dates to move | Personal Finance | Finance

The festive season, while exciting for everyone, can bring about financial difficulties for many due to the numerous bank holidays in December disrupting the regular processing of scheduled benefit payments. For those on benefits, this could mean a change in your usual payment schedule as Christmas approaches.

However, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has measures in place to generally prevent late payments if your due date coincides with a bank holiday.

Usually, if your payment is due on a bank holiday, it will be processed on the previous working day, though there are some exceptions. We’ve compiled information on how different benefits will be affected by the Christmas bank holidays and when you can expect to receive a payment.

When Universal Credit will be paid across Christmas

If your Universal Credit Payment is due to be paid between December 24, 2025 and January 2, 2026, you may receive your payment early. The DWP has confirmed the following payment dates below:

When Child Benefit will be paid during Christmas

The DWP has higlighted that there are different payment dates for Child benefit, especially if it lands on a bank holiday. According to thee DWP, these different dates for this Christmas and New Year are:

When other benefits will be paid

If you are claiming another DWP benefit, such as Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, or Disability Living Allowance, you may also experience a disruption to your payments. The following dates for these payments are:

Full details of DWP payment dates can be found here.