Are you Christmas Ready? Read on to check how your wages or other expected payments might be affected over the Christmas period.

Benefit Payment Dates

Where your payment is due to be received and it is a weekend or bank holiday you will receive their payment early.

The table below provides details of when you can expect to receive your payment. It covers both Universal Credit and non-UC payments.

Don’t forget to leave any money for your Direct Debit in the bank as this will be paid later than normal even where your benefit payment is received early! More information on changes to Direct Debit payments is below.

Wages Paid Early

Most employers will pay their staff early at Christmas and this means you will have longer before your bills are paid from your bank account where you pay by Direct Debit or regular Standing Order. Make sure you leave enough money in your account to cover your bills. More information on changes to Direct Debit payments is below

If you are receiving Universal Credit and you receive your wages early this may reduce your next UC payment. If this happens add a note to your journal advising UC that your wages were paid early and the DWP should then review your award.  If this doesn’t change anything then seek advice as soon as you can.

You can contact our Money Advice team on 0161 217 6016, option 4 and they will be able to help you with this. Please note our office closes on Christmas Eve at 1pm and the team won’t then be available to contact until Monday 4^th January 2021 at 8.30am.

Christmas Bonus/Overtime

Any additional payments that you receive from your employer either because of bonuses, overtime or something similar are classed as income for Universal Credit and other benefits, and so you should expect to see a reduction in the next payment if you do receive any extra money and prepare in advance for this.

Our Money Advice team can talk you through the impact of any additional income you expect to receive so that you know in advance how much your benefit payments will reduce by.

Direct Debit Payments

Because of the Christmas period some Direct Debits will be taken from your bank account later than the agreed payment date; this is where dates fall on the weekend and on or around bank holidays.

The table below provides details of when a Direct Debit will be taken from your bank account based on the your usual payment date.