UK benefit payment dates over Christmas and New Year 2026, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): There are just over six weeks until Christmas, and two government agencies have already confirmed changes to benefit payment dates over the festive period. Social Security Scotland and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have published updated schedules to help people plan their finances ahead of the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has yet to confirm its arrangements for State Pension and benefits including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Carer’s Allowance. However, the department is expected to follow its usual pattern of issuing payments earlier when the scheduled date falls on a bank holiday.
Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25 this year, while the substitute bank holiday for Boxing Day will be observed on Monday, December 28. New Year’s Day falls on Friday, January 1, 2027, with Scotland observing an additional bank holiday on Monday, January 4.
People who receive payments from more than one government agency may find that their money arrives on different dates over the festive fortnight. The confirmed payment changes for HMRC and Social Security Scotland, along with the expected DWP arrangements, are outlined below.
Social Security Scotland has confirmed that payments due over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays will be made earlier than usual. The changes will affect people receiving Adult Disability Payment, Carer Support Payment, Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment, Scottish Child Payment and Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance.
Best Start Foods payments will not be affected.
Christmas payment dates: payments due on Thursday, December 24, Friday, December 25 and Monday, December 28 will be paid on Wednesday, December 23.
New Year payment dates: payments due on Friday, January 1 and Monday, January 4 will be paid on Thursday, December 31.
These dates have been confirmed by Social Security Scotland and can be viewed on MYGOV.SCOT.
HMRC has confirmed changes to Child Benefit payment dates over the festive period. Payments due on Monday, December 28 will be paid on Thursday, December 24, and payments due on Tuesday, December 29 will be paid on Wednesday, December 30 for Northern Ireland only.
The full schedule is available on GOV.UK.
The DWP has not yet announced its Christmas and New Year payment arrangements for State Pension and other benefits. However, payments are expected to follow the usual bank holiday arrangements, with money issued on the previous working day when the normal payment date falls on a bank holiday.
The changes could affect people receiving State Pension, Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
Expected DWP Christmas payment dates: payments due on Friday, December 25 and Monday, December 28 are expected to be paid on Thursday, December 24. Expected New Year payment dates: payments due on Friday, January 1 are expected to be paid on Thursday, December 31, and payments due on Monday, January 4 are expected to be paid on Thursday, December 31 for Scotland only.
The DWP is expected to publish its official Christmas and New Year payment arrangements nearer the festive period. People whose payments are brought forward should be aware that the money will need to last until their next scheduled payment date.
