DWP two-digit code explained amid expected pay disruption this month

State pensioners across the country are being warned that they may be paid on a different date this month.

This is due to the myriad of bank holidays taking place across the Christmas period which may disrupt the exact date payments will be made for some. Fortunately, there is a simple way of sussing out whether your payment date will change over the next couple of weeks.

Each person's National Insurance number will have a two-digit code at the end which actually dictates the day of the week that their paid. Therefore, if a claimant finds that their payment falls on Christmas Day or Boxing Day (a Wednesday and Thursday this year), they may instead be paid a bit earlier.

Online DWP guidance states: "The day your pension is paid depends on your National Insurance number. You might be paid earlier if your normal payment day is a bank holiday."

What days you will receive your state pension based on your National Insurance number

• Between 00 and 19 - paid on Mondays
• Between 20 and 39 - paid on Tuesdays
• Between 40 and 59 - paid on Wednesdays
• Between 60 and 79 - paid on Thursdays
• Between 80 and 99 - paid on Fridays

It's important to note that if your National Insurance number ends between 40 and 99 then you are likely to be affected by changes throughout the Christmas period. As a result, you can expect to instead to receive your payment on the earliest normal working day which would be Tuesday, December 24.

State Pension will not be the only payments affected by the bank holidays next month. Both DWP and HMRC claimants may also see their payments issued early if they fall on one of the festive bank holidays, this can include but isn't limited to:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer's Allowance
• Employment SUpport Allowance
• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance
• Maternity Allowance
• Child Benefit

If you find that your benefit is not paid when expected you will need to contact the office responsible for your payments. More details can be found on GOV.UK here.