New Year’s Day falls on Sunday, which means days at the start of the first week of 2023 are classed as bank holidays. Monday, January 2, is an ‘observed’ bank holiday across the UK while Tuesday, January 3, is classed as a ‘substitute’ bank holiday - but only in Scotland.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have already confirmed changes to State Pension, Tax Credits and benefits including Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) due on certain dates next week. Social Security Scotland has also announced changes for devolved benefits, including Adult Disability, Child Disability and Scottish Child Payments due until Friday, January 6.
Payments affected by bank holidays are typically made on the first working day before, which would be Friday, December 30. However, all payments due on Tuesday, January 3rd will be made as normal except in Scotland where they will also arrive on Friday, December 30 - except Child Benefit.
Child Benefit payments due to be made on Tuesday, January 3rd will go ahead as planned. However, for some people, the payments may be delayed due to the bank holiday in Scotland.
Advice on GOV.UK states: "HMRC will issue your payment on the normal date, but your bank may not process it straight away. Check with your bank for the date you’ll get your payment."
DWP benefit payments affected by the changes include:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Payment changes this week
The following payments should have been made on Friday, December 23.
- All payments due on Monday, December 26
- All payments due on Tuesday, December 27
- All DWP payments due on Wednesday, December 28 except Universal Credit - Universal Credit will be paid as normal
New Year payment date changes
- All payments due on Monday, January 2 will be made on Friday, December 30
- All payments except Universal Credit due on Tuesday, January 3 will be made as normal except in Scotland where they will arrive on Friday, December 30 - find out more here.
Child Benefit payment date changes
These payment date changes affect people receiving Child Benefit or Guardian's Allowance.
Payments due this week
The following payments should have been made on Friday, December 23.
- Payments due on Monday, December 26
- Payments due on Tuesday, December 27
New Year payment date changes
- Payments due on Monday, January 2 will be made on Friday, December 30
Child Benefit payments due to be made on Tuesday, January 3rd will go ahead as planned. However, for some people, the payments may be delayed due to the bank holiday in Scotland.
Advice on GOV.UK states: "HMRC will issue your payment on the normal date, but your bank may not process it straight away.
"Check with your bank for the date you’ll get your payment."
Tax Credit payment dates over New Year
These payment date changes affect people receiving Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits.
The following payments should have been made on Friday, December 23.
- Payments due on Monday, December 26
- Payments due on Tuesday, December 27
- Payments due on Wednesday, December28
Payments due on Thursday, December 29 will be made on Wednesday, December 28 (Scotland and England only).
New Year payment date changes
- Payments due on Monday, January 2 will be made on Friday, December 30
- Payments due on Tuesday, January 3 will be made on Friday, December 30
- Payments due on Wednesday, January 4 will be made on Tuesday, January 3 (England and Northern Ireland only)
HMRC advises that if your Tax Credits payment is late, you should check the payment date on your award notice and contact your bank before calling them - more details here.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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