HOUSEHOLDS claiming benefits such as Universal Credit and PIP can expect to be paid early this month because of the Christmas holidays.
This type of financial support is usually paid once a month, but Bank Holidays such as Christmas Day can disrupt the schedule.
The festive period disrupts the days that cliaments of Universal Credit get paid.[/caption]
The fast-approaching holiday means millions of benefit claimants will not be paid on their usual dates over Christmas and New Years.
If you are due to be paid on a Bank Holiday, you can expect to see the cash land in your bank account earlier than expected.
You should receive the money the first working day before you were expecting to have been paid.
So, if you are usually paid on December 25, 26 or 27 you will be paid on December 24 instead.
That is because the last working day before the holidays is Tuesday, December 24.
The New Year bank holiday on January 1 also impacts benefit claimants.
If you are due to receive your benefit on January 1, you will be paid on December 31.
The Department for Work and Pensions said a total of 11 benefits will be impacted by the change. They are as follows:
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Disability living allowance
- Income support
- Jobseekers allowance
- Pension credit
- Personal independence payments (PIP)
- State pension
- Universal Credit
- Child benefit (paid by HMRC)
- Tax credits (paid by HMRC)
You should be aware that the amount you get paid will not change,
Even though you have been paid a few days early, you will also have to make the money last until the following month.
If you think you were supposed to be paid, but the money has not landed in your account, it may be worth double checking the dates.
If the money has not been paid into your account, you should contact the DWP.
You can reach its Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Changes to Universal Credit
Universal Credit is replacing six benefits under the old welfare system, commonly called legacy benefits. They are:
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s allowance
- Income support
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Housing Benefit.
If you’re on any of these benefits now, you can choose to move over – but you might not be better off.
You should consider carefully what moving over means for your money, as you can’t move back once you’re on Universal Credit.
Using an online benefits calculator can help you compare and are free and easy to use from charities such as Turn2Us and EntitledTo, and it’s also worth asking them for advice.
You may be moved over to Universal Credit if you have a change in circumstances, like moving home, a change in working hours or a have a baby.
But eventually, everyone will be moved over to Universal Credit.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
