Full list of benefits paid EARLY next month – will you get the cash before Christmas?

MILLIONS of households on benefits can expect to be paid early next month.

Benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit and tax credits are among those affected.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) usually need to shuffle payment dates around when it comes to the holiday season.

This means that quite a few benefit payments will be affected to accommodate the bank holidays over Christmas and New Year.

It is important to know when your payments are due so that you can stay on track with your budgeting.

A number of benefits are affected and we have the full list below:-

Full list of benefits that will be paid early because of Christmas

• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Child Benefit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Income Support
• Jobseekers Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Personal Independence Payment
• State Pension
• Universal Credit
• Tax credits (such as Working Tax Credit)

The official guidance for benefits payments states: “Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account.

“If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before.

“This may be different for tax credits and Child Benefit.”

How do I know if I will be getting my benefits paid early?

It all depends on what day you usually get paid as to whether you will receive your benefits early.

Universal Credit payments are one of the main ones that will be affected.

Unless another arrangement is in place Universal Credit payments are paid on the same date each month.

For example, if you are expecting to receive your payment on any of the following dates, you will get the money on Friday, December 22 this year.

• December 23
• December 24
• December 25
• December 26

Any payments that are expected on December 30, 31 or January 1 should come on Friday, December 29.

With other benefits, payments are usually tied to a certain day of the week rather than a date.

If this is the case, the money should be paid on the previous working day.

Will the amount I receive change?

The amount you get paid should not change.

It will be the same as the previous month unless you have had a change of circumstances that has affected how much you are due.

Remember that if you do get paid early you will need to make that money last, as you will have to wait extra days until your next payment date.

If you are expecting a payment and it is not paid on time then make sure you double-check the date you are usually paid and contact your bank.

Should you need any further help you will need to contact the DWP.

You can also submit a complaint to the DWP over any unpaid benefits.

Meanwhile, one million people are set to receive a £300 payment to help with the cost of living.

Also, thousands of pensioners have been issued with a 30-day warning to claim extra cash.

Meanwhile, savers with old pensions could save thousands of pounds in retirement by combining all their pots, new data shows.