New Year Universal Credit and benefit payment dates – will you get paid early today?
THOUSANDS of people will get their benefits paid early today, so check if you're affected.
The addition of a Bank Holiday in the New Year will mean that thousands of recipients are paid earlier than normal.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed that thousands on benefits will receive their usual payments earlier over the festive period.
This is because New Year's Day falls on a Sunday and January 2 will instead be classed as a Bank Holiday.
Any payments which are due on January 2 will be made today (December 30).
Benefits and Universal Credits are never paid out on a Bank Holiday - so thousands will benefit from early payments.
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We've explained in full who'll receive their payments earlier than usual.
Full list of benefits paid early today
If you receive one of the following benefits, then you could be paid earlier than usual today:
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Child benefit
- Disability living allowance
- Employment and support allowance
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance
- Pension credit
- Personal independence payment
- State pension
- Tax credits (such as Working tax credit)
- Universal Credit
When will I be paid instead?
Not everyone will get their benefit payments early - it depends on the date you usually get paid.
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If you usually get paid on the second, you'll receive your payment on December 30, 2022, as January 2, 2023 is a bank holiday.
Universal Credit and benefits payments due on January 3 will receive them on time unless you live in Scotland where you'll get them on December 30.
Those who receive Tax Credits on the third of each month will receive their January payment on December 30.
Tax Credit claimants in England and Northern Ireland who are due payments on January 4 will get them a day early.
Will my benefit payment amount change?
The amount you get paid shouldn't change.
It will be the same as previous months unless you've had a change of circumstances that affects how much you get at the same time.
You don't need to do anything if your usual date for getting the state pension falls on a bank holiday.
Don't forget that if you get paid early then you'll have to make the money you get go further as you'll have extra days to wait until your next payment date.
Make sure you factor this into your budget.
If your money is not paid on time, then you should double check the date you get paid normally and contact your bank.
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Failing that, you should contact the DWP.
You can also submit a complaint to the DWP over any unpaid benefits.