DWP payment dates set to change this month for millions of people

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that some payment dates will be changed this month

Some benefit claimants may see their payment dates change this month(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

State pensioners throughout the UK are being warned that their payment dates might shift this month due to the festive bank holidays. If your usual payment is around Christmas, you may find it land in your bank account slightly earlier than expected.

You can also check when you're set to be paid based on the digits at the end of your National Insurance Number. If your cash is supposed to come through on Christmas Day or Boxing Day (Wednesday and Thursday this year), you will likely see the money in your account at an earlier date.

There were an estimated 12.95 million state pensioners in Great Britain in 2024/25. 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

• 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

So, if your National Insurance finishes with digits from 40 to 99, you will likely see a disruption in payments. The earliest working day, which in this case would be Tuesday, December 24, could result in an early payday, reports the Manchester Evening News.

It's not only state pensions being affected. DWP and HMRC handouts might also make an early appearance. This includes – but isn't limited to - a number of benefits.

The Department for Work & Pensions sign outside Caxton House in Whitehall, London, United Kingdom on the 10th of July 2024. The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) is responsible for the UK's welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. It is the government's biggest public service department administering State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. (photo by Andrew Aitchison / In pictures via Getty Images)

These include Universal Credit and Income Support. See the full list below.

• 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 your benefit isn't paid as expected, you'll need to get in touch with the office handling your payments. You can find more information on the GOV.UK website here.