This is when Universal Credit, child benefit and tax credits payment dates are over the Christmas period, December 2020

During the festive period, banks will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, December 27 and 28 along with New Year’s Day – meaning payments from the Department for Work and Pensions will not be processed.

According to the official Government website, if a payment falls on a weekend or Bank Holiday it will usually be paid the day before – but this could differ for benefits such as tax credits and child benefit.

Here’s when each benefit payment will be made in December:

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is paid into your bank account on the same day each month.

However due to the Christmas period falling on a weekend, you will be paid in advance.

So payment dates for those due to be paid over Christmas will be as follows:

Universal Credit payment due on Friday, December 25 – will be paid on December 24

Universal Credit payment due on Saturday, December 26 – will be paid on December 24

Universal Credit payment due on Sunday, December 27 – will be paid on December 24

Universal Credit payment due on Monday, December 28 – will be paid on December 24

Universal Credit payment due on Friday, January 1 – will be paid on Thursday, December 31.

Tax Credits

Tax Credits, such as Working Tax Credits, are normally paid every four weeks but can also be paid weekly.

In the event of a Bank Holiday, these payments will normally be made a day early – but not always.

According to Gov.uk these are the Christmas tax credit payment dates:

Tax credit payment due on December 25 – it will be paid on December 24

Tax credit payment due on December 28 - it will be paid on December 24

Tax credit payment due on January 1 – it will be paid on December 31

If your payment is late, check the payment date on your award notice and contact your bank before calling HMRC.

Child Benefit

Child Benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday but if the payment is due on a Bank Holiday, Child Benefit will usually be paid a day early.

According to the Government website for December 2020 the following payment date will change:

Child benefit due to be paid on Monday, December 28 – will be paid on Thursday, December 24.

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