DWP confirms Christmas and New Year pay date changes for people on State Pension or benefits

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed changes to State Pensions and benefits over Christmas and New Year for people whose scheduled payments fall on certain days.

The announcement also confirms that people in Scotland-only will receive payments earlier due to the January 2nd bank holiday.HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Social Security Scotland have already published online guidance advising people of changes to benefit payment dates with DWP following a similar pattern.

The State Pension and benefit payments that fall on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Friday December 27, January 1st and 2nd (Scotland only) will be affected by the festive period.This is because offices, web services and telephone lines tend to close on the same days over the festive fortnight and DWP, HMRC and Social Security Scotland ensure payments are made on a day when offices are open so that claimants can speak to an advisor.There will be no payment date changes for people in receipt of Child Benefit this year as Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday and Boxing Day on a Thursday - the HMRC payment is only issued on Mondays and Tuesdays.Christmas Day and Boxing Day are both classed as bank holidays across Scotland, England and Wales.

New Year's Day is a bank holiday in Scotland, England and Wales while January 2nd is recognised as a bank holiday in Scotland only.DWP has confirmed payments due on December 25, 26 and 27 will be paid on Tuesday, December 24.