Universal Credit and benefit payment dates for New Year – and some hit accounts TODAY

FAMILIES on benefits including Universal Credit will want to know when they get paid over the New Year.

For households feeling the pinch once Christmas is over, some won’t have to wait long to get their much needed cash – many will see it land in accounts today.

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Universal Credit and other benefit claimants might see cash land earlier than usual over New Year[/caption]

For those getting payments early, remember to budget for the extra days you’ll have to make your money stretch to over January.

We explain the full list of dates that you’ll get your money in over New Year for benefits such as Universal Credit, PIP and child benefit:

Universal Credit

Those claiming Universal Credit will know that their payments will usually land in their accounts once a month.

This is usually on the same day each time too.

But some might be paid earlier this year because the New Year is interrupting the usual payment schedule.

If your payment date falls on a bank holiday, you’ll usually get paid the Friday before.

As Monday, January 3 2022, is a bank holiday, you’ll get your payment today, Friday 31 December 2021.

Universal Credit payments are not made on a weekend.

• Due date December 31 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 1 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 2 – Payment due December 31
• Due date January 3 – Payment date December 31

PIP

You will be paid every four weeks on the same day each time if you claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Payments are also never made on weekends or bank holidays – that means, like Universal Credit claimants, some will get cash early.

It means that for those due to be paid on January 3, you’ll get your cash today.

• Due date December 31 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 1 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 2 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 3 – Payment date December 31

Child benefit

Unless you or your partner claim certain benefits like income support when child benefit is paid weekly, you’ll get your cash every four weeks.

Payments are made every Monday or Tuesday – and you should have recieved your payment by now.

If you’re due to be paid on January 3, you will have seen your money land in your account already on December 21.

• Due date January 3 – Payment date December 21

Tax credits

Child tax credits or working tax credits top up your household income if you’re not earning enough to make ends meet.

You can choose how you get paid – wither weekly or every four weeks.

You’ll be paid early if your payment falls over the weekend or on Monday, which is the bank holiday – see below:

• Due date December 31 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 1 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 2 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 3 – Payment date December 31

Other benefits

You may get paid on a different day than usual if you claim benefits such as employment support allowance (ESA), Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), carer’s allowance, pension credit, attendance allowance and the state pension.

The day that you’re paid depends on when you applied for the benefit. If your date falls on a bank holiday or weekend it will be moved.

• Due date December 31 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 1 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 2 – Payment date December 31
• Due date January 3 – Payment date December 31

You can also check out the Gov.uk website or ring the relevant helpline to find out if any of your payments will be affected.