DWP benefits that will be paid early this Christmas and New Year and exact payment dates

A full list of benefits including Universal Credit and PIP will be paid early for thousands of individuals later this month. This is due to the upcoming bank holidays on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

If you're expecting a benefit payment on one of these days, then you'll receive it slightly earlier than usual. This is because benefit payments are typically not dispatched on bank holidays.

However, if you do get paid earlier, you'll need to budget carefully as there will be a longer wait until your next payment. Here's all the information you need - and how to lodge a complaint if you don't receive your money when expected.

Benefit payment dates for Christmas and New Year

If you're due a benefit payment on Wednesday, December 25, or Thursday, December 26, then you'll likely receive your money on the previous working day, which would be Tuesday, December 24. If you're due a benefit payment on Wednesday, January 1, then you should get paid on Tuesday, December 31.

If you're due to be paid on a different day, the money will be paid into your account as normal. You won't need to do anything different to receive your benefit payment.

The amount you're due to be paid will also remain the same unless your personal circumstances have changed. When are benefits normally paid?

The frequency of your benefit payments depends on the type of benefit you're claiming. For instance, Universal Credit is paid on the same day each month, while Tax Credits are typically paid by HMRC every four weeks or weekly.

Child Benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday, and Carer's Allowance is normally paid on a Monday - so these benefits won't be affected by the Christmas or New Year bank holidays. However, the following benefits could be impacted by the upcoming bank holidays:

Attendance Allowance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Income Support

Jobseeker's Allowance

Pension Credit

Personal Independence Payment

State Pension

Tax credits

Universal Credit.

If you believe you haven't been paid, first double check your bank account. If the payment date is correct and the money isn't there, you should contact the relevant helpline.

But remember, these are unlikely to be open on bank holidays. The contact numbers for Universal Credit, Child Benefit, and Tax Credits are provided.

The DWP is also rolling out Winter Fuel Payments worth £300 as well as £25 Cold Weather Payments, £10 Christmas Bonuses and a Warm Home Discount worth £150 to state pensioners born before 1953.

For Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance, you can call for free on 0800 169 0310. For Textphone users, the number is 0800 169 0314.

If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, use Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 169 0310.