Overview
- Universal Credit due on 25 or 26 December will be paid on Wednesday 24 December, and payments due on 1 January will arrive on Wednesday 31 December, with 2 January payments in Scotland proceeding as scheduled.
- For other DWP benefits and the State Pension, payments due on 24, 25 or 26 December will be made on Tuesday 23 December, and payments due on 1 January will arrive on Wednesday 31 December, with 2 January (Scotland) moved to 31 December.
- Social Security Scotland has issued parallel festive schedules that also bring forward payments falling on 25/26 December and 1/2 January to earlier working days.
- HMRC says Child Benefit dates remain unchanged this year, with the exception that payments due on Monday 5 January in Scotland will be made on Tuesday 6 January.
- The one‑off, tax‑free £10 Christmas Bonus is being paid automatically throughout December and may show as 'DWP XB' on statements, with recipients advised to contact Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service if it has not arrived by 1 January.