Universal Credit and Child Benefit to be paid THIS Friday for millions
Aneira Davies
Social and newsletter writerThere's a change for 6 million people receiving government benefits coming over the festive period – and it could affect when you're paid
Many families claiming Universal Credit and other benefits including child benefit during the next few weeks are told to expect a change to their payments from this week.
Households expecting to get a benefit payment next week will instead be paid on a different day, with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announcing a huge change that's coming in over the festive period.
And the change is set to affect more than 6 million people.
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The DWP's change will affect households who currently get benefits including Universal Credit and who are expecting a payment within the next 2 weeks.
Anyone due to be paid over the Christmas break is likely to get their payment early.
This is because the 25 and 26 December 2023 and the 1 January 2024 are all bank holidays, which means that the DWP offices are closed and payments cannot be made that day.
The DWP tweeted to warn its users of the upcoming changes: '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.'
When will my Universal Credit be paid?
If you're due a payment over the Christmas period, your payment could come early.
If your Universal Credit payment date falls on the 25th or 26th December this year (Christmas Day or Boxing Day), you'll instead get it on the 22nd December – this Friday.
However, if you're due a payment on the 27th December, this won't change and you'll still get your Universal Credit payment on the 27th.
For those people due to be paid on the 1st January 2024, the money will also reach your account on an earlier date.
Instead, you'll get it on the 29th December.
What about other benefit payments?
The DWP also confirmed the payment dates of other benefits – including Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance, Jobseekers allowance and Pension Credit.
Like Universal Credit, those who are due a payment on the 25th or 26th December this year will instead get their money on the 22nd December.
Meanwhile, anyone due a payment on 27th December will also be paid on 22nd December, and those due a payment on 1st January 2024 should instead be paid on 29th December 2023.
Payment dates
- Monday 25 December, you'll instead receive it on Friday, December 22
- Tuesday 26 December, you'll instead receive it on Friday, December 22
- Saturday 30 December, you'll instead receive it on Friday, December 29
- Sunday 31 December, you'll instead receive it on Friday, December 29
- Monday 1 January, you should instead receive it on Friday, December 29
What other changes are coming?
The DWP is also set to make a change to the opening hours of certain services over the Christmas break.
All Jobcentre Plus outlets – including its offices – will shut on 25, 26 and 27 December 2023.
They will also be closed on 1 January 2024.
Phone lines will be open on other dates between 22 December and 2 January, but will be operating at reduced hours.
These lines will close at 4pm instead of 6pm.
What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a payment to help with essential living costs. It’s paid monthly or twice a month for some people in Scotland.
You may be able to get the financial help if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.
Universal Credit replaces older legacy-style benefits including:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
Who is eligible for Universal Credit?
You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs.
This could mean you're out of work, working (including self-employed or part time) or unable to work, because of a health condition, for example.
To claim the help, you must:
- live in the UK
- be aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
- be under State Pension age
- have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments
More financial help
Need more help with paying your bills?
You'll find details of all the benefits and entitlements you may be able to claim on our Cost of Living hub.
There is also info on all the cash you might be entitled to, plus the dates when you can expect the latest Cost of Living payments and other allowances to land in your bank account.
Additionally, there's tips from the Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, as well as brilliant ideas for saving money on everything from your weekly shop, to that well-deserved holiday.
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