Universal Credit claimants could get payment early this December - will you?
UNIVERSAL CREDIT is paid every month in England and Wales, and for some in Scotland and Northern Ireland. During the Christmas festivities, this December, some people will get their payments earlier than usual.
Universal Credit: Work allowance explained
Universal Credit is a monthly payment which may be paid in order to help with living costs, with those who are on a low income or out of work able to claim it. It can take up to five weeks for the first payment, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says. This includes a one-month assessment period, as well as up to seven days for the payment to be made into the account.
Universal Credit is usually paid into an individual’s bank, building society or credit union account.
After the first payment, a recipient will be paid on the same date of every month.
However, this may differ if the payment date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday.
In this situation, one would be paid on the working day prior.
READ MORE: Universal Credit claimants could get free home improvements grant - what does help cover?
If a person lives in Scotland, then they can get once or twice per month.
Should they be making a new claim, they’ll get a notification about how frequently they want to be paid, and they get this after the first payment.
How will Universal Credit payments be affected over Christmas?
In the UK, Christmas Day and Boxing Day are both bank holidays.
DON'T MISS
This year, the 25th and 26th of December fall on a Wednesday and Thursday.
This means that anyone due to get paid on the 25th or 26th should receive the payment on the 24th, which is Christmas Eve.
Those due to be paid at the start of the month may also be affected when New Year’s Day swings around.
This is also a bank holiday, meaning those expecting to be paid on the first of January, would actually get the payment on the day before.
Christmas Universal Credit payment dates
Payment due - date it's expected to be paid
Saturday, December 21 - Friday, December 20
Sunday, December 22 - Friday, December 20
Monday, December 23 - as normal
Tuesday, December 24 - as normal
Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) - Tuesday, December 24
Thursday, December 26 - Tuesday, December 24
Friday, December 27 - as normal
Saturday, December 28 - Friday, December 27
Sunday, December 29 - Friday, December 27
Monday, December 30 - as normal
Tuesday, December 31 - as normal
Wednesday, January 1 (New Year’s Day) - Tuesday, December 31
Universal Credit is replacing a number of benefits.
These are: Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Working Tax Credit.
If a person is currently receiving one of these benefits, then they are not able to claim Universal Credit at the same time.