THOUSANDS on benefits and Universal Credit will get their payments on a different day than usual this month.
It's because of the Christmas holiday - so if you usually get money on the 26th or 27th of each month, it'll come through on an earlier date.
Those on benefits and Universal Credit will get paid on the 23rd this month.
It's because Boxing Day is a bank holiday and the 27th is a "substituted" bank holiday day for Christmas Day - and payments aren't made on these days.
The same goes for if you usually receive your Universal Credit payment on the 2nd of each month as January 2, 2023 is a bank holiday.
If you usually get paid Universal Credit on this day, you'll get it on December 30, 2022.
Also, if a payment date lands on the weekend, it's usually made the first working day before then.
But you don't need to do anything if your payment lands on a bank holiday or weekend - it'll come through on the correct day automatically.
You should still factor any early payments into your budget and make sure it lasts you long enough to take you through to the next month.
If your payment date falls on a normal date you'll get your money as usual.
Which benefits are affected?
There comes a few other changes over the festive period.
If you're on any of the below benefits, and you're scheduled to get paid on December 26 or 27, you should get the payment on the 23rd too:
- State Pension
- Employment support allowance (ESA)
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Carer's Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
If you normally get paid on the 24th or 25th of each month, you should also receive your payment on December 23.
This applies to those on Tax Credits as well.
Those on Child Benefits who usually get paid on the 26th or 27th of the month will be paid on December 23.
For bank holidays in Scotland and Northern Ireland, which are different, households may be paid after their usual payment date.
If you don't receive your benefit payment on time, it's worth checking with your bank first before contacting the DWP.
If something's not right, you can also submit a complaint to the DWP.
Meanwhile, millions on benefits will receive a £10 tax-free Christmas bonus in the first full week of December this year.
Eligible households receive the cash from Monday, December 5.
You'll also need to live in or be a resident of one of the following countries:
- The UK
- The Channel Islands
- The Isle of Man
- Gibraltar
- Switzerland
- Any European Economic Area (EEA) country
You can view a full list of people who qualify in our list here.
And if you feel like you're struggling, there are plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out.
British Gas has recently confirmed that it'll pay its most vulnerable customers grants worth £750 to help with sky-high bills.
Ask your supplier what's on offer and how to apply, or check here:
There's also a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you're on a prepayment metre.
And don't forget those on Universal Credit and older legacy benefits could get over £3,000 in bill support.
